Welcome to the sixth edition of ACI EUROPE’s new monthly digital newsletter, Airport: The Bulletin.

I’m writing this on the evening of 24th March, 2022. This means it’s exactly one month since media channels were starting to bring us news difficult to grasp – that an invasion, an act of aggression from one nation against the people of another, had begun in our European footprint. As the days turn into weeks, the shock of the news and the diabolical images that we receive continue to escalate. Our thoughts are with all of those caught in this human tragedy and in particular our colleagues at Ukrainian airports, as we condemn those who are its cause. Those of you joining us in Palermo next week for our Regional Airports’ Conference will have a very tangible insight into the reality of our colleagues’ situation in Ukraine, as we’re honoured – and relieved – to be able to welcome a speaker from Odessa airport on our first morning.

I was reminded early in these dark days of a central pillar of disaster and emergency response: one of the most vital people in a crisis is the one helping everyone who isn’t a first responder to carry on performing those skills that they do best.

As airports, we know what we do best, and we do it very, very well. Facilitating the safe and efficient transportation of people and goods is our core function. And here lies the role that we as a community, our European airport and wider aviation community, can play.

We’ve partnered with Airlink, the non-profit humanitarian logistics organisation, to create the Ukraine Crisis Airport Response. There’s more about Airlink, and it’s incredible work, in the ACI EUROPE news section below. Essentially Airlink provides the wherewithal to get NGOs’ people and supplies where they are needed, when they are needed. They provide extraordinary solutions to complex problems in highly challenging and fast-changing circumstances. They make a very tangible difference to people and societies who have been decimated in circumstances way beyond their control.

Airlink needs the funds to keep doing the work they do too, so if you are able to help, please do so. We’ll be updating regularly on Airlink’s work, so do stay connected to our ACI EUROPE communications channels to see the projects and results in progress.

ACI EUROPE Supports Airlink’s Ukraine Response | Airlink (Powered by Donorbox)

With and for airports – always.

Olivier Jankovec

Director General, ACI EUROPE