Participants will benefit from learning and exchanging best practices on the following topics:

• Economic development: Strategies tailored for airports to stimulate local economies through job creation, tourism, and infrastructure development.
• Airport competitiveness: Understanding factors that contribute to competitiveness to enhance attractiveness to airlines, passengers, and cargo operators.
• Technological innovations: Insights into the latest advancements like automation, data analytics, and biometrics to improve efficiency, security, and passenger experience.
• Safety management systems: Developing and implementing systems to ensure compliance and mitigate risks.
• Security preparedness: Developing comprehensive security plans and responding effectively to threats.
• Terminal and airside operations: Best practices to streamline processes, reduce congestion, and enhance operational performance.
• Non-aeronautical revenue strategies: Exploring alternative revenue streams beyond traditional sources to increase financial sustainability.
• Cargo logistics: Optimizing freight handling processes and improving supply chain efficiency.
• Airport service quality: Strategies to enhance service quality, customer service, and passenger satisfaction.
• Environmental sustainability: Implementing initiatives to reduce environmental impact, such as energy efficiency measures, waste reduction, and carbon offset programs.
• Preparedness for mega events: Developing plans to manage large-scale gatherings and maintaining a positive airport image.
• Disaster preparedness and service recovery: Skills in responding effectively to disruptions, minimizing downtime, and ensuring continuity of services.
• AI and Cybersecurity: Leveraging AI for threat detection, digital safety, and resilient airport cybersecurity systems.
• Behavioural Science & Social AI: Applying behavioural insights and AI to improve crisis response, decision-making, and passenger management.

The programme will deliver four intensive two-day training workshops between March 2025 and June 2025 in Africa, North America, Asia, and Latin America. These workshops will cover topics relevant to airport operations and economic development through interactive discussions and group assignments. Participants will gain practical knowledge and skills, enabling them to act as change agents in their respective domains.
 

• ⁠San Salvador, El Salvador: Comalapa International Airport is rapidly becoming a logistics and passenger hub for Central America. Its modernization efforts focus on scaling infrastructure in an emerging economy context. San Salvador offers unique insights into airport growth under constrained resources, government-led development initiatives, and integration of aviation into national economic strategies.
• ⁠Atlanta, USA: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is a global benchmark for airport efficiency and connectivity, serving as the world’s busiest by passenger numbers. Atlanta excels in hub-and-spoke model management, public-private partnerships, and high-volume operations. Its leadership in green airport certification and digital transformation makes it a key learning site for operational excellence.
• Rabat, Morocco: Rabat represents Morocco’s strategic aviation development at the crossroads of Africa, Europe, and the Arab world. Its growing infrastructure supports regional integration and South-South cooperation. As a potential 2030 World Cup host, Morocco’s preparations reveal strategies for event-ready aviation infrastructure, intermodal transport planning, and cross-continental connectivity.
• ⁠Singapore: Singapore’s Changi Airport is globally recognized for its innovation in passenger experience, automation, and sustainability. As a state with limited land and airspace, Singapore offers lessons in maximizing airport efficiency, airspace optimization, and urban-integrated aviation planning. It’s a pioneer in aviation sector resilience and future-oriented governance.
• Merida, Mexico: Merida’s regional airport plays a vital role in connecting remote areas with national and international markets. Located in a climate-sensitive and tourism-dependent region, Merida specializes in crisis-resilient airport operations, post-disaster recovery planning, and aviation’s role in regional tourism ecosystems.
• Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic: Las Américas International Airport supports the Caribbean’s dual needs of tourism and trade. With frequent exposure to hurricanes, it is a leader in disaster response coordination, aviation-maritime integration, and transport logistics under extreme weather conditions. It serves as a blueprint for climate adaptation in airports.
• Miami, USA: Miami International Airport operates as a gateway for Latin American and Caribbean cargo, with a specialization in cold chain logistics and pharmaceutical freight. Its multicultural workforce and experience as a regional FEMA emergency hub position it uniquely in coordinated disaster response and aviation’s role in humanitarian logistics.

1. El Salvador (Latin America): March 4–5, 2025
   Topics: Technology, AI and Cybersecurity
2. Atlanta, USA (Global): May 28-29, 2025
   Topics: Emergency Management
3. Morocco (Africa): June 24-25, 2025
   Topics: Technological Innovations & Terminal Operations
4. ⁠Singapore (Asia): October 22–23, 2025
   Topics: Innovation & Technology, Terminal Operations

1. Merida, Mexico (CIFAL Merida): March 18–19, 2025
   Topics: Emergency Management
2. Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (CIFAL Miami): May 22-23, 2025
   Topics: Disaster Preparedness in Airports and Strategic Ports
3. Miami, USA (CIFAL Miami): October 7-8, 2025
   Topics: Emergency Management