Global ACI-ICAO AMPAP

AMPAP ATS Gateway Course Held for the 4th time in Abu Dhabi

Kristina Schneider — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 20:53:39 +0000

The 42^nd ATS course is currently winding down in Abu Dhabi, UAE, with course instructors Jean-Marc Trottier and Mohammed Aziz.

The instructors would like to thank the Gulf Centre of Aviation Studies for their hospitality and continued support.

Finishing off the Year with ATS Las Vegas

Kristina Schneider — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 16:27:16 +0000

Course instructors Jean-Marc Trottier and Robert Kennedy, IAP, assisted by Mauricio Siciliano of ICAO, administered the 41^st ATS course in Las Vegas, Nevada. They were joined by participants from 12 airports, representing the USA, Canada, Cayman Islands, Portugal and Mali.

Mr. Randall Walker, Director of Aviation at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, was a featured speaker. His presentation was most interesting, as it addressed some of the challenges that lie ahead but also some of the innovations introduced by LAS in the past few years.

Concentrating on the Putnam Integration Exercise, the participants have not had much time to try their luck at the casinos yet. Maybe that’s a good thing? However, after their recommendations have been received by Queen Matilah, they may be able to enjoy the true Nevada hospitality.

The 40th AMPAP Air Transport System Course: BEIJING!

Kristina Schneider — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 14:15:59 +0000

AMPAP just finished its 40^th delivery of the ATS course and where better than Beijing, in the heart of the fastest growing region, could this have been held.

The participants and instructors of ATS Beijing: The 40th AMPAP Gateway Course

Participants from seven countries contributed to a great interactive course. Greeted by Ms. Li Xiaomei, Secretary of the Party – Beijing Capital International Airport, the group mingled on Sunday at Bei Hai Park. A beautiful evening in astonishing surroundings. During the week, Mr. Kong Yue, Director, Commercial services, came and introduced the class to some of the challenges and future developments of Beijing Capital International Airport. The group was graciously hosted to a tour of the recently opened (2008) Terminal 3 and met with managers at the Terminal Control Centre.

The whole week, as all other 39 occurrences, has been greatly appreciated by all. Course instructors Jean-Marc Trottier and Robert Kennedy and the legal expert Wasim Zaidi have also benefitted much from the interaction with the new AMPAP participants. We now look forward to seeing them soon on one of the online courses

Record Number of AMPAP Graduates Honoured In Marrakech

Kristina Schneider — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 15:52:43 +0000

In all, 71 airport executives received their International Airport Professional (IAP) diplomas in 2011, bringing the total to over 160 since the programme’s inception. In addition, seven others earned the AMPAP Associate diploma, which is reserved for industry stakeholders. The IAP diploma is earned through successful achievement of stringent requirements that ICAO and ACI established for the programme’s six-course curriculum.

AMPAP 2012 Graduates accompanied by Ms. Angela Gittens, Director General of ACI and Mr. Mohamed Elamiri, Deputy Director, Safety Management and Monitoring, ICAO

AMPAP Executive, Pierre Coutu, commented on this year’s developments:

The graduation is always an annual highlight of our programme and we were delighted to see so many graduates make the trip to Marrakech to participate in the ceremony. AMPAP is now enjoying firm recognition, evidenced by a steady to high-growth mode, and we look forward to another large group of IAPs earning their accreditation in 2012.

On November 1, during the ACI World Annual General Assembly in Marrakech, 32 graduates were present to receive their diplomas and were part of AMPAP’s largest graduating class.

Mr. Patrick Chonde. AMPAP 2012 Valedictorian and Ms. Catherine Mayer of SITA, AMPAP Premier Sponsor

Patrick Chonde of the Kenya Airports Authority was elected class valedictorian. On behalf of the graduates, his speech, which is excerpted below, touched on several key, recurring themes in regard to the IAP accreditation:

The growth of AMPAP has been remarkable over the years: from the initial number of 17 participants in June 2007 when it started to the current figure of over 600 participants. Today in this room, a total of 32 graduates are present from 19 different countries representing all five ACI regions, will receive their certificates and diplomas and the coveted International Airport Professional (IAP) accreditation.

Personally, AMPAP has been an awesome experience. It has helped me sharpen my career skills. I gained from AMPAP not only analytical tools and intellectual confidence, but more importantly awareness of best practices, a strategic approach to my job, and a fantastic network of peers from diverse backgrounds and cultures from around the globe”

I wish to quote ACI Director General, Angela Gittens, in her remarks during the graduation in Bermuda last year: ‘This is the beginning of the search of knowledge and not an end. The graduation is a one-off event, the hard work starts now.’

I believe the AMPAP graduates are better equipped to be more efficient and effective by disseminating their newfound reservoir of knowledge within their own organizations, especially among their colleagues.Please join me in a big round of applause for the graduates who have tirelessly worked to attain this coveted recognition and for making history by celebrating it for the first time in this great continent of Africa, in the beautiful city of Marrakech, in the Kingdom of Morocco.”

Dr. Pierre Coutu, AMPAP Programme Executive, Ms. Catherine Mayer of SITA, AMPAP Premier Sponsor and the 2012 Graduating Class

Air Transport System, Kuala Lumpur

Kristina Schneider — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 16:02:55 +0000

For the second time, Malaysia Airport Holdings Berhad (MAHB) was a gracious and welcoming host to the newest group of AMPAP participants who gathered in Kuala Lumpur for the 39th ATS course delivery. Participants from five airports in Malaysia, and also from Malé, Indonesia, Dubai, Shanghai and Oman formed this class led by Dr. Pierre Coutu, Programme Executive.

Co-instructors, Mr. Rodolfo Echeverria and Mr. Jeremy Bennett, both of whom have earned the IAP designation, were pleased to beba part of the team for this course.

Air Transport System, Kuala Lumpur

Air Transport System, Dar es Salaam

Kristina Schneider — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 13:19:52 +0000

Mr. Raphael Bokango, Senior Manager at Tanzania Airports Authority, and soon to be an IAP graduate, addressed the 38th class of the ATS course, taking place in Dar Es Salaam this week.

Participants from 6 airports in Tanzania, Congo and Zambia benefitted from his presentation on the challenges of TAA, and they greatly appreciated seeing the relevance with the ATS course.

Dar es Salaam Group Photo

This course is the third time AMPAP comes to Africa, and given the warm reception and expressions of interest received by the course leader, Jean-Marc Trottier, we expect to return to the area soon. Jean-Marc was accompanied of Paul Behnke and Wasim Zaidi. The trio expressed their great appreciation at the high level of interest of all the participants. Samson Kimilu, a graduate from Nairobi, Kenya, had come to support the instructors during the presentations on Systemic Contemporary Issues. Samson said the day has brought back great memories from his own participation in the course, 15 months ago in Mombasa.

Air Transport System, Tehran

Kristina Schneider — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 18:15:02 +0000

24 participants from Iran have joined the AMPAP Community this week at the 37th delivery of the Air Transport as a System course. The course was delivered in Teheran and regrouped managers from 12 airports in the country. This is a unique situation that recognizes the growing interest for the IAP accreditation, which recognizes the professionalism of airport managers. Mr. Abdorrahimi, Deputy CEO for the Iran Airports Company has worked diligently at bringing AMPAP to Tehran. The Chairman of the Board and CEO IAC, Mr. Esmaeili has welcomed the group and reminded them of the need for management to progress and improve their skills and competencies for the benefit of the Iranian population in general and the aviation industry in particular. His words were echoed by Jean-Marc Trottier, course leader and Capt. Mohammed Aziz of Lebanon who was co-instructor. They were accompanied by Mr. Wasim Zaidi, the legal expert on the course.

Tehran Group Photo

The three instructors have expressed their sincere gratitude for the warm reception by all at IAC and they applauded the active participation and high interest displayed by all the participants. We wish the 24 new members of the AMPAP Community best of all in their career.

Air Transport System, Abu Dhabi

Kristina Schneider — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 13:20:41 +0000

Abu Dhabi has hosted the ATS course for the third time. ADAC through the Gulf Center for Aviation Studies has included AMPAP in its management development program and registered 50 of its management staff into the program. The last contingent of these 50 will be joining AMPAP in January 2012.

Abu Dhabi Group Photo

The initiative has brought participants from Abu Dhabi and Dubai but also from Aruba, Switzerland, Indonesia and Nigeria to exchange on the different challenges facing our industry.

Dr. Othman Al Khoury, VP Human Resources & Administation at ADAC (third from right) has made a presentation on the challenge of implementing SMS at an airport. His contribution to the systemic nature of the course has been very well received by the whole class.

AMPAP is now accepted as a major tool in the succession planning of progressive airports.

Air Transport System, Athens, Greece

Kristina Schneider — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 13:42:46 +0000

The 35th offering of the AMPAP gateway course, Air Transport System, was hosted by the Athens International Airport (AIA) in Athens, Greece, September 5 to 9. 18 participants from 7 different countries (Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Greece, Portugal, Romania, United States) joined this delivery.

ATS Athens Group Photo

The CEO of Athens International Airport (AIA), which is celebrating its 10th anniversary, Mr. Yiannis Paraschis, addressed the class and shared some of the challenges faced by AIA and some of the future development being considered for the coming years.

Dr. Kostas Iatrou, Managing Director of Air Transport News and co-instructor in the course, said that this course was a welcome addition to the efforts deployed in the region—and particularly by AIA—at enhancing the skills of the management team.

The course director, Jean-Marc Trottier, was very appreciative of the hospitality of AIA and of the Greek contingent in the course. A visit organized by the local participants for the foreign guests after the conclusion of the course gave everyone a small taste of the famous Greek hospitality.

Dr. Louis Haeck, of the HEC School in Montreal and Paris, was the legal expert covering the public and private law segment of the course.

IAP Robert Kennedy Joins Aviation Strategy International as Vice-President, Consulting Services

Kristina Schneider — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 16:43:25 +0000

Robert Kennedy, IAP

Mr. Robert Kennedy, IAP, former Interim Deputy General Manager of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport joins Aviation Strategies International. With immediate effect, Mr. Kennedy will occupy the position of Vice-President, Consulting Services for the firm.

Here is an excerpt of the press release from the Aviation Strategies International’s Website:

In his remarks, Dr. Coutu highlighted that “Robert adds yet another pillar of strength to our company which has been solid in serving its clients in the international arena. With more than three decades of aviation industry experience, Robert’s talent will further enhance the expertise and professionalism of our team and we eagerly welcome him. We’re also very excited that his executive responsibilities will include the establishment of a new ASI division that will provide aviation cargo advisory services”.