Airports Council International (ACI) has announced the appointment of Philippe Villard as Head, Policy and Economics, reporting to Stefano Baronci, Director of Economics and Programme Development.
Villard's responsibilities include developing airport economic policies; airport charges and aeronautical business development; airport slots; and, activities related to the International Civil Aviation Organization's airport economics' programmes.
Prior to joining ACI, Villard held positions with increasing responsibilities in air transport economic policy development, and airport user charges and aeronautical revenues at ICAO and at the International Air Transport Association. Villard holds a PhD in Political Science from Concordia University in Montreal, Canada, and a Master's in Public Policy from the Paris Institute of Political Studies, France, both with a focus on air transport policy.
"ACI's Economics and Statistics Department is the world leader in the collection, analysis and dissemination of information on the airport industry," said Angela Gittens, Director General, ACI World. "Philippe's expertise will ensure that ACI continues to provide strategic airport economic guidance to our members and facilitate evidence-based policymaking across the aviation industry."
"Economic policies and regulatory regimes have not kept up with the evolution of the airport industry," explained Villard. "I look forward to working with airport operators, airport users and civil aviation authorities to develop more efficient, light-touch, regulations, and to develop sound policies that support the sustainable development of airports. ACI plays a critical role in creating synergies with other aviation stakeholders that shape tomorrow's policies and regulations, and I am pleased to be joining the team and contributing to such momentous tasks."
