Airports Council International (ACI) World has announced a new partnership with Cranfield University, one of the world’s premier institutions for aviation research and education, to deliver a pioneering new course: Airport Management in a Net Zero World.
Offered under the globally acclaimed ACI-International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Airport Management Professional Accreditation Program (AMPAP), this intensive one-week course will be hosted on the Cranfield campus in the United Kingdom, providing a powerful platform for aviation professionals to deepen their leadership capabilities in the context of climate action, innovation, and resilience.
“The challenges facing the airport industry today demand informed, forward-thinking leadership. This course provides a critical forum for senior professionals to engage deeply with emerging trends and their implications, building on the rigorous foundation of AMPAP. Partnering with Cranfield University reflects our shared commitment to cultivating the intellectual leadership needed to guide aviation through its most transformative era,” said ACI World Director General Justin Erbacci.
‘‘We are delighted to build on the growing partnership between Cranfield University and ACI and have crafted a new, transformative learning experience. This course offers a stimulating, immersive environment and invaluable collaboration with like-minded professionals. We welcome delegates to our unique campus to gain new perspectives to shape their thinking and strategy on a multi-dimensional development journey designed to inspire and elevate,’’ said Professor Anna Smallwood, Head of Centre for Air Transport Management at Cranfield University.
Shaping future airport leaders for the net zero era
As global aviation advances toward net zero carbon emissions, airports face growing pressure to navigate complex, evolving challenges. This new AMPAP course addresses that need, equipping current and future airport leaders with strategic insight and practical tools to lead through sustainable transitions, digital transformation, geopolitical shifts, and rising passenger expectations.
A first-of-its-kind in the AMPAP portfolio, the course blends policy insight, operational strategy, and hands-on exploration of emerging aviation technologies—an essential investment in climate-conscious, innovation-driven airport leadership.
Cranfield: A hub of aviation excellence
Cranfield University has earned global recognition as a center of excellence in aviation, aerospace, and environmental innovation. The institution has played a vital role in AMPAP over the past two years, contributing leading-edge expertise to the program’s evolving curriculum.
Two exclusive experiential components of the course include:
- A guided tour of the Digital Aviation Research and Technology Centre (DARTeC)
- A visit to the Cranfield Hydrogen Innovation Centre
