Senior figures from European aviation gathered at Manchester Airport to discuss the key safety and operational issues and opportunities in the sector. More than 100 delegates attended the annual ACI Europe Technical, Operations and Safety Committee (TOSC).
MAG, the UK’s largest airports group which owns Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands Airports, hosted the conference at the Concorde Conference Centre next to the UK’s global gateway in the North. Topics on the agenda included operational preparedness for the introduction of the digital EU entry and exit system, runway friction management and digital apron management.
Committee attendees included Schiphol Airport, Berlin Brandenburg Airport and Athens International Airport, alongside representatives from Eurocontrol, the UK Civil Aviation Authority and NATS.
Chris Woodroofe, Managing Director at Manchester Airport, addressed the committee where he spoke about the importance of the UK aviation industry’s continued collaboration with ACI Europe. He said:
“…Our relationship with ACI Europe is so crucial in a post-Brexit world. Despite the UK’s departure from the European Union, UK legislation aligns with EU regulations in many cases, and numerous EU policies have been transposed into UK law. We remain deeply connected to many of the issues that ACI addresses.”
Mr Woodroofe emphasised how sustainable growth of the aviation industry is fundamental. Referencing the comprehensive decarbonisation roadmap the industry has already developed, he pointed to the use of more fuel-efficient aircraft, airspace modernisation, the production of sustainable aviation fuel and the progressive introduction of zero-emission aircraft as playing critical roles in getting the sector to net zero by 2050.
He also spoke about MAG’s record-breaking passenger performance in recent months, which has seen Manchester Airport serve 30 million passengers across a 12 month period for the first time in its history, and London Stansted consistently break its monthly passenger records.
MAG plays an active role in representing UK airports at ACI forums. Alongside Ken O’Toole’s appointment to the ACI Europe Board at its annual congress in July, Monika Simonaityte, Head of Air Traffic Management Strategy at MAG, sits as the current Vice-Chair of the Technical, Operations and Safety Committee.
Following the conference, Ms Simonaityte formally took over as Chair from the incumbent, Libor Kurzweil. The Group also has representatives on various other sub-committees, including the ESG committee and the Policy committee.
Monika Simonaityte, Vice Chair of the Technical, Operations and Safety Committee, reflected on the event: “We have been proud to host this year’s ACI Europe Technical, Operations and Safety committee meeting at Manchester Airport. The event has been an excellent opportunity to discuss emerging opportunities surrounding airport operational safety, air traffic management, AI, and automation and to hear about the excellent work going on across our industry on various topics including sustainability and digital innovations. As I assume the role of Chair of TOSC, I look forward to continuing its meaningful work. I would like to thank outgoing Chair, Libor Kurzweil and other ACI Europe members for their continued support.”
Libor Kurzweil, Chair of the Technical, Operations and Safety Committee said: “I would like to thank MAG for hosting this year’s committee meeting on behalf of ACI Europe. This event provides us with an invaluable opportunity to bring together our members from across Europe, and ensures that we can continue to evolve our work to maintain the highest standards of safety and air traffic management across our sector. As I hand over the role of Chair to Monika, I look forward to seeing the great work she will oversee with her expertise in this area.”
