ICOA.10.09 · International Conference on Airports, October 2009 Paris

Concept: The Air and Space Academy (AAE) proposes to organise a 2-day international conference on “Airports and their Challenges”, in DGAC Paris (7-8 October 2009). Background: Europe needs to develop new transport networks and infrastructures in order to support its industry and promote economic growth. Air transport has increased faster than any other mode of transport in the past 20 years, but concerns linked to traffic saturation and the environment are growing. Airports are an essential element in the air transport system and yet their development can give rise to tension and even conflict between the different economic and political players. Reflection is needed on how to guarantee sufficient airport capacity in the enlarged European Union whilst respecting the different constraints of safety, security, environment, customer satisfaction, intermodality, etc. Objectives: This conference will aim to achieve a broad, dynamic vision of the evolution of airports in Europe and worldwide, of the different challenges and constraints facing them within a 15-20 year timeframe and to define the orientations necessary for the future. It will do so by bringing together top policy makers and operators from the European and international air transport system to pool information, discuss current developments and share new innovative ideas. Guidelines defined at this conference will be disseminated widely to policymakers worldwide in order to maximise impact. Organisation: AAE has a wide experience of organising successful conferences. A Programme Committee, chaired by Marc Noyelle (former Executive Director Development and facilities for Aéroports de Paris, and Administrator-President of ADPI international engineering branch), will comprise experts from AAE, DGAC, Air France-KLM, Aéroports de Paris, UAF, ACI Europe, DG TREN with input from relevant international organizations and European airport managers. The conference work programme will be carried out by AAE permanent staff.