ACI partners with Bahrain Airport Company for virtual training programme

The Bahrain Airport Company (BAC) has partnered with Airports Council International (ACI) World to implement a virtual training course that will enable Tahleeq team members to safely continue the third module of their professional development programme during the COVID-19 crisis.

The eight-day virtual course, ‘Airport Non-Aeronautical Revenues’, includes a lecture by instructor Andre Bergeron, team exercises, presentations and polling exercises. It is the first programme to be delivered through ACI’s newly-developed virtual classroom, outside of its Airport Management Professional Accreditation Program (AMPAP) programme.

ACI World is the global representative of the world’s airports and promotes professional excellence in airport management and operations. It is the world’s leading provider of airport management and operations education, offering executive leadership, professional accreditation, subject-matter competency and personalised training courses.

BAC Human Resources Vice President, Hind Mahmood, said: “We are pleased to become the first airport operator to roll out this milestone training and development initiative. Thanks to close collaboration between the BAC and ACI training teams, the course was launched in record time and tailored to meet our requirements. Our Tahleeq team members will benefit from the expertise and insight of one of the world’s leading aviation organisations.”

Mahmood added: “The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated that organisations that adapt to new ways of working stay at the forefront of their industries, and those that don’t may not survive the crisis. We have reached a crucial stage of the Airport Modernization Program (AMP), and ensuring our staff are ready for the transfer to the new terminal is vital. Through this course, our team members can continue to safely and efficiently develop the advanced skills required for the AMP. The health and wellbeing of our team members is a priority, and we are complying with the directives of the National Task Force for combating COVID-19 and the regulations issued by Bahrain Civil Aviation Affairs.”

Luis Felipe de Oliveira, ACI World Director General, said: “As the aviation industry restarts and begins to plan its long-term recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, ACI is focused on providing more accessible training and development programmes tailored to the needs of our members.”

He continued: “Our industry is always at its strongest when we work together, and our partnership with Bahrain Airport Company on this course is an example of the kind of innovative, collaborative approach that will help us to sustain the recovery process. Now, more than ever, the airport industry needs motivated and experienced people and ACI looks forward to a fruitful partnership with Bahrain Airport Company to deliver staff development in a cost-effective, accessible and qualitative way.”

The course explores non-aeronautical revenues as a key contributor to the financial success of airports, an area that has become more important in the wake of COVID-19. It will assist participants in working with airport partners to identify and capitalise on the opportunities available to airport managers to enhance non-aeronautical revenues through innovation, competitiveness and new technologies.

ACI represents the world’s airports and their collective interests. It promotes professional excellence in airport management and operations and works closely with prominent aviation organisations – such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to develop standards, policies and recommended practices.