ACI urges global investment and airspace deregulation

At the ACI-LAC/World Annual General Assembly in Lima, Airports Council International (ACI) leaders called for significant reforms to aviation infrastructure and regulatory frameworks to accommodate projected growth.

ACI World Director General Justin Erbacci stated that the industry will require an investment of USD 4.6 trillion by 2055 to meet demand. He urged governments to treat airport capacity as a national economic priority, emphasizing the need to modernize slot policies and market access. Erbacci noted that capacity creation must involve optimizing existing infrastructure and creating stable regulations that allow airports to finance necessary expansions.

In the context of the Latin American region, ACI-LAC Director Rafael Echevarne advocated for the total deregulation of airspace, similar to the European model. Echevarne argued that allowing airlines to operate across borders without individual government permissions for every route would increase competitiveness, connectivity, and passenger choice while lowering prices.