New global guidelines clarify best practices for airport concessions

 

New global guidelines for airport development concession agreements have been published by Airports Council International (ACI) World and ACI Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), aiming to bring more clarity and consistency to public-private partnerships (PPPs) in the aviation sector. The resource, titled Airport Development Concessions Agreements: Global Approaches and Guidelines for Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), arrives at a time when air travel demand is reaching record levels and capital requirements for airport infrastructure continue to rise.

Private-sector participation is already well established in the industry. More than 850 airports in over 90 countries now involve private investment or operational involvement, and the pipeline continues to grow, with 132 transactions reported at various stages globally as of January 2025. Concession models have become widely used to fund long-term development, improve operations and accelerate service upgrades, particularly where public budgets face constraints.

ACI World Director General Justin Erbacci noted that governments are under pressure to deliver efficient and sustainable infrastructure that meets future demand. He stressed that well-designed concession agreements can mobilize investment, strengthen efficiency and support economic development when they ensure transparent governance and balanced risk allocation.

ACI Latin America and the Caribbean Director General Dr. Rafael Echevarne added that the guidelines build upon decades of experience with airport concessions both within the region and globally. The aim is to provide a standardised, practical framework that ensures resilience and long-term value for passengers, communities and national economies.

The document outlines key components for stakeholders involved in airport PPPs, including governments, concessionaires, lenders and advisors. Areas covered include the current state of airport concessions, best practices in feasibility assessments, negotiation and contract execution, and model clauses to aid transparency. Risk allocation frameworks addressing financial, operational and demand risks are included, along with guidance on sustainability, governance and dispute resolution. Global case studies demonstrate lessons learned in different markets and regulatory environments.

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For travel and aviation professionals, these guidelines respond to critical industry priorities: strengthening capital planning, reducing uncertainty around partnership structures and supporting more sustainable growth. Improved governance and standardized approaches are expected to benefit long-term investment decisions across both developed and emerging markets.

The guidelines were launched during the 2025 ACI North America and ACI World Annual General Assembly, Conference and Exhibition in Toronto, the major annual gathering of airport leaders. The publication has been developed in collaboration with Mott MacDonald and Modalis Infrastructure Partners.

Their release aligns with accelerating global airport development pipelines, signaling a renewed focus on frameworks that can support rising infrastructure needs while ensuring that airport operations remain resilient, competitive and aligned with public interest objectives.