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Airport Consortium on Transformation (ACT)

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The Airport Consortium on Transformation (ACT) is AAAE’s innovation program dedicated to advancing the future of aviation through collaboration, emerging technologies, and industry-driven innovation. By bringing together airports and industry leaders to share insights, pilot new ideas, and solve operational challenges, ACT transforms collective expertise into new resources, scalable technologies, and actionable solutions that move the aviation industry forward.

ACT brings together airports and industry partners to develop and implement solutions that address industry challenges. Successful workstreams are built on four foundational elements that ensure meaningful collaboration and measurable outcomes.

Events

Research Repository

Pilot Opportunities Repository

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ACT CEO Steering Group

The ACT CEO Steering Group, composed of executives from participating ACT airports, provides strategic guidance for the program. These leaders advise on where ACT should focus its time and resources to develop meaningful resources for the industry. They also encourage their staff to participate in ACT initiatives and share feedback that helps shape collective outcomes. The group meets annually in person during AAAE’s Annual Conference and virtually each December for a year-end recap and discussion of priorities for the coming year.

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Chad Makovsky, A.A.E., IACE, Aviation Director for the City of Phoenix Aviation Department, and Chris McLaughlin, Chief Executive Officer at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, facilitate the ACT CEO Steering Group meeting in conjunction with AAAE’s 97th Annual Conference & Exposition.

Mukesh Patel, C.M., Director of Aviation at San Jose Mineta International Airport, and Harry Barrett, A.A.E., Assistant Director of Airports at the Sacramento County Departments of Airports, joined their industry peers for a discussion on the innovation challenges facing their airports.

Airport directors from across the country convened in Atlanta to discuss innovation priorities and help guide the future direction of the ACT program. Pictured left to right: Chad Makovsky, A.A.E., IACE; Chris McLaughlin; John Ackerman, Chief Executive Officer, Los Angeles World Airports; Jesús Saenz, Director of Airports, San Antonio Airport System; and Phillip Washington, Chief Executive Officer, Denver International Airport.

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Atif Saeed, A.A.E., Chief Executive Officer, San Diego International Airport and Chad Newton, A.A.E., Chief Executive Officer, Wayne County Airport Authority, participate in the annual in-person ACT CEO Steering Group meeting.

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Jessica Dunn, Global Technology Officer at EY, addresses the audience on technology, innovation, and collaboration

Driving Innovation At Airports Nationwide

Evolving from the Airport Innovation Accelerator, the Airport Consortium on Transformation (ACT) was launched to address pressing industry challenges—many of which were amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, ACT serves as a comprehensive innovation lab focused on eight key areas of transformation, offering airports multiple pathways to engage and collaborate.

Innovation at ACT extends far beyond research. Through hands-on innovation events, members experience emerging technologies in action at airport facilities and participate in real-world pilot projects that test and refine new solutions.

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Advanced Air Mobility Exploring innovative solutions for the air transportation network and integrating them into airport infrastructure.

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Airport Digitization Embracing technology to enhance airport operations and the passenger experience

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Airport Electrification Driving the strategic planning, funding, and deployment of electrfication solutions.

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Airside Training To unify the industry's approach to airport driver and winter operations training through shared challenges and collaborative solutions.

Artificial Intelligence Leveraging AI technologies to optimize airport operations and improve decision-making processes.

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Cyber Preparedness & Monitoring Promote proactive planning, rapid response, and shared solutions for digital resilience.

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Smart Landside Transform airport access and curbside operations through smart technologies.

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Workforce Development Empowering the airport workforce through innovative training, skill-building programs, and strategies to meet evolving industry needs.