GMR Airports now has a sister

Posted by- Neelam Mathews

July 22, 2011

 

GMR Airports Holding Ltd.has signed a ‘Sister Airport Agreement’’ with  Incheon International Airport Corporation (IIAC), South Korea to share technical, commercial and environmental best practices through mutual cooperation.

The agreement encompasses establishment of joint training programs under the aegis of the GMR Aviation Academy and the Incheon Airport Aviation Academy both accredited by ACI as its Global Training Hubs. 

 “The objective of entering into Sister Airport Agreement is to build mutually cooperative and rewarding relationships .......  We see it as a stepping stone for the development of potential airports like New Delhi’s IGI Airport as International air transport hubs. It also helps expand air transport networks worldwide. Besides, it enables the parties to share information, hold regular conferences and promote joint programs with a view to stimulate aviation demand in the respective airports and regions,” said P.S Nair, CEO Corportae, GMR Airports.

Under the agreement, joint Working Groups will be established to cooperate on a wide range of areas such as Airport Operations and Management, Customer Service, Construction, Planning, Operations, Information Technology, Sustainable Development.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed between Delhi International Airport (P) Ltd. (DIAL), and IIAC on sharing of technical expertise to improve safety under the Airport Excellence in Safety (APEX in Safety) program of ACI.  

The MoU aims to enhance safety at IGIA and Incheon airports through exchange expertise and best practices on Airside Operations, Planning and Safety Management. The MoU is a result of a resolution to develop airports commitment to safety through ‘ACI Advanced in Safety Program’ through mentoring and auditing for the airports. It was conceptualized in November 2010 during ACI World Assembly held at New Delhi, says GMR.

Other such sister agreements include  Beijing Capital International Airport with Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT), Hong Kong International Airport, Athens International Airport, Singapore's Changi Airport, Aeroports de Paris, Vancouver International Airport, Japan's Narita International Airport, Sydney International Airport and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) and O'Hare International Airport (O'Hare) are also sister airports. As are  Gold Coast Airport and Macau International Airport.