ASIA PACIFIC/THE MIDDLE EAST. GMR Group Executive Director and Chief Innovation Officer SGK Kishore has been elected as President of Airports Council International Asia-Pacific & Middle East (ACI APAC & MID).
Newly elected members of the airport trade body’s Board Executive Committee and Board Directors were announced at a recent meeting hosted by Cambodia Airports/VINCI Airports in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Kishore will succeed Cambodia Airports Board Director and VINCI Airports Regional Director Emmanuel Menanteau as President for a two-year term.
The other newly appointed members of the Executive Committee are Bahrain Airport Company CEO Mohamed Yousif Al-Binfalah (First Vice President); Airport Authority Hong Kong Chairman Fred Lam (Second Vice President); Narita International Airport President & CEO Akihiko Tamura (Second Vice President); and Brisbane Airport Corporation CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff (Secretary Treasurer).
The two-year term of the Executive Committee runs from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2026.
ACI APAC & MID also elected five new Board Directors from key aviation markets. They include Sharjah International Airport Authority Chairman Ali Salim Al-Midfa; Cambodia Airports CEO Cyril Girot; Abu Dhabi Airports Managing Director & CEO Elena Sorlini; Malaysia Airports Managing Director Dato’ Mohd Izani Ghani; and Changi Airport Group CEO Yam Kum Weng.
The three-year term of the Board Directors runs from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2027.
Congratulating the new President and newly elected members, Menanteau said: “It has been an exceptional two years, during which we’ve made significant steps in advancing our key initiatives and strategic priorities, especially with regard to economic and environmental sustainability of airports.
“I am grateful to our Board for their support, which has allowed us to strengthen our advocacy across the region.
“As I hand over the leadership to Mr Kishore, I am confident that under his guidance, ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East will continue to be a powerful advocate for our region’s airports. I also extend my sincere congratulations to all newly elected Board members.”
Kishore commented: “I am deeply honoured to take on the role of President and to continue the remarkable work of my predecessor, Mr Emmanuel Menanteau.
“As we look toward the future, our collective focus will be on driving environmental sustainability, innovation and ensuring the economic resilience of airports, as the aviation industry in our region is set for the next big phase of growth.”
ACI APAC & MID represents 132 members, operating 617 airports across 46 countries and territories.
The trade body has joined forces with The Moodie Davitt Report and ACI World to organise next week’s The Trinity Forum, being staged in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (5-6 November). The world’s number one airport commercial revenues event is co-hosted by Airports Corporation of Vietnam and IPP Group. ✈
