ACI and the International Aviation Women’s Association sign affiliation agreement: areas of cooperation include education, training and enhanced job search capabilities

Airports Council International (ACI) is proud to join forces with the International Aviation Women’s Association (IAWA) as part of an affiliation announced earlier this year. The official signing of the affiliation agreement took place today at United Airlines’ offices in Chicago.

Angela Gittens, Director General of ACI World, and Abby Bried, President of IAWA, signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organizations in the presence of Rosemarie S. Andolino, Commissioner at the Chicago Department of Aviation, as well as Chicago-based IAWA members. The leadership team from United Airlines’ women’s business resource (uIMPACT) and other representatives from the airline were also present to support this exemplar of leadership development in the area of airport management.

Both organizations will work collaboratively on education, training and job opportunities by:

• offering IAWA members ACI’s robust suite of educational programmes at ACI member rates;
• giving IAWA members the opportunity to earn executive and technical scholarships from ACI; and
• encouraging IAWA members to explore job offerings in the airport field.

Executive Leadership Programme (AELP), which prepares selected candidates for senior-level executive responsibilities, thereby creating a network of future industry leaders. AELP is targeted at future CEOs, Deputy CEOs or Vice-Presidents of airport operating organizations. IAWA will be responsible for selecting member candidates.

Further, ACI will cross-post its website job listings from the airport industry to the IAWA website to encourage IAWA members to explore airport job opportunities.

“Globally over the next two decades, passenger traffic growth at the world’s airports is expected to average 4.1% per year to reach over 12 billion total passengers,” said Ms. Gittens. “It is essential that airports have a deep talent pool from which to draw in order to ensure the sustainable growth of the industry. This affiliation goes a long way toward achieving that goal.

“ACI has long been a proponent of diversity in the workforce, and we look forward to adding value for IAWA members by giving them more opportunities for professional growth in an exciting industry,” Ms. Gittens added.