ASIA PACIFIC/MIDDLE EAST. Airports Council International Asia-Pacific & Middle East (ACI APAC & MID) has announced leadership changes to its Regional Economics Committee (REC).
Riyadh Airports Company Chief Commercial Officer Abdulaziz Al-Asaker has been appointed as Chair of the REC, succeeding Oman Airports Vice President of Corporate Planning Nagy Abu Zeid, who served for two terms.
Concurrently, Bahrain Airport Company Vice President of Strategy and Business Improvement Leena Faraj takes on the role of Vice Chair, succeeding Kansai Airports Chief Commercial Officer Aero François Southarewsky.
Al-Asaker has been with Riyadh Airports Company since 2018, occupying several senior commercial positions. He has over two decades of experience across sectors such as insurance, telecommunications, banking and aviation, including leadership roles at Saudi Investment Bank and Mobily.
Faraj has held her current position with Bahrain Airport Company for more than 12 years and has been an ACI Economics Committee Member since 2016. She also represents the International Civil Aviation Organization as Airports Working Group Member and the International Air Transport Association at Strategic Partners’ Member.
ACI APAC & MID noted the two appointments usher in a new era of collaboration and strategic focus on the evolving landscape of airport economics.
ACI APAC & MID said: “REC members, along with the ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East secretariat, extend their sincere gratitude to Mr Abu Zeid and Mr Southarewsky for their exemplary leadership and significant contributions during a period characterised by considerable challenges and resilience.
“Under their stewardship, the committee played a pivotal role in navigating the complexities of the COVID-19 crisis and subsequent recovery, fostering economic sustainability and reinforcing airport competitiveness across the region.”
The trade body added that the REC remains committed to addressing both legacy and emerging issues in airport economics. There will be continued emphasis, it said, on airport charges and economic regulation, privatisations and concession agreements, infrastructure development financing, sustainable transition and technological modernisation to enhance competitiveness across the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions. ✈
