Airport financial success goal

TDT | Manama

Bahrain Airport Company (BAC) has partnered with Airports Council International (ACI) World to implement a virtual training course that will enable team members in the graduate training programme “Tahleeq” to safely continue the third module of their professional development during the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.

The eight-day virtual course, entitled “Airport Non-Aeronautical Revenues”, includes a lecture by globally renowned instructor Andre Bergeron, team exercises, presentations, and polling exercises. It is the first programme to be delivered through ACI’s newly developed virtual classroom, outside of its Airport Management Professional Accreditation Programme (AMPAP).

The course explores non-aeronautical revenues as a key contributor to the financial success of airports, an area that has become more important in the wake of COVID-19. It will assist participants in working with airport partners to identify and capitalise on the opportunities available to airport managers to enhance non-aeronautical revenues through innovation, competitiveness, and new technologies.

ACI World is the global representative of the world’s airports and promotes professional excellence in airport management and operations. It is the world’s leading provider of airport management and operations education, offering executive leadership, professional accreditation, subject-matter competency, and personalised training courses.

BAC human resources vice-president Hind Mahmood said: “We are pleased to become the first airport operator to roll out this milestone training and development initiative. Thanks to close collaboration between the BAC and ACI training teams, the course was launched in record time and tailored to meet our requirements.

Our ‘Tahleeq’ team members will benefit from the expertise and insight of one of the world’s leading aviation organisations.” Mahmood added: “The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated that organisations that adapt to new ways of working stay at the forefront of their industries, and those that don’t may not survive the crisis.

We have reached a crucial stage of the Airport Modernisation Programme (AMP), and ensuring our staff are ready for the transfer to the new terminal is vital. Through this course, our team members can continue to safely and efficiently develop the advanced skills required for the AMP.

The health and well-being of our team members is a priority and we are complying with the directives of the National Taskforce for Combatting COVID-19 and the regulations issued by Bahrain Civil Aviation Affairs.”

ACI World director general Luis Felipe de Oliveira said: “As the aviation industry restarts and begins to plan its longterm recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, ACI is focused on providing more accessible training and development programmes tailored to the needs of our members.

“Our industry is always at its strongest when we work together and our partnership with BAC on this course is an example of the kind of innovative, collaborative approach that will help us to sustain the recovery process.

Now more than ever, the airport industry needs motivated and experienced people and ACI looks forward to a fruitful partnership with BAC to deliver staff development in a cost-effective, accessible, and qualitative way.” ACI represents the world’s airports and their collective interests.

It promotes professional excellence in airport management and operations and works closely with prominent aviation organisations such as the International Civil Aviation Organisation and the International Air Transport Association to develop standards, policies, and recommended practices.