MALAYSIA TO MAKE PRESENCE FELT AT AIRPORT COUNCIL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

From Lim Chong

BOSTON, Sept 20 (Bernama) -- Malaysia will make its presence felt at the
Airport Council International (ACI) World Conference and Exhibition which will
be held here from Sept 21 to 24, 2008, through Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd
(MAHB).

MAHB, which will be hosting the international event in Kuala Lumpur in
November next year, is putting up a booth to showcase what the country
is able to offer to about 2,500 industry representatives from around the
world.

The Malaysian delegation to the US event is led by MAHB's managing
director, Bashir Ahmad, who is also a member of the ACI governing
board and ACI's Asia-Pacific regional board member.

The four-day annual event has the theme of "Making Global
Connections",
with airport executives taking part in educational seminars and plenary
sessions.

It has eight conference sessions covering current issues in airport
management and operations such as information technology strategies, airport
ownership, congestion, industry consolidation, environment, benchmarking,
facilitation, safety and security.

Bashir is one of the speakers at a session on "Changing for Climate
Change", which will discuss how the industry is working towards reducing the
greenhouse gas emissions and what can be done to minimise the industry's impact
on climate change.

Boeing's environmental strategy managing director, Billy Glover, is also
touching on the issue which is seen as crucial as aviation's contribution to the
greenhouse gas emissions causing climate change is expected to increase with the
projected growth in air traffic.

During the event, government officials, senior management representatives
and airport business partners will join the airport executives to discuss
emerging industry trends and exchange ideas to support the communities that
airports serve.

New ideas for industry collaborations as well as best practices are also
expected to be discussed to help shape future strategies which will benefit
travellers globally.

Together with the conference, there will also be an industry trade show
featuring 250 exhibitors, including business suppliers and airport
consultants.

ACI, established in 1991, is an international body that campaigns airport
interests and promotes professional excellence in airport management and
operators.

With a membership of 1,640 airports in 178 countries, it also ensures
maintaining and developing a safe, secure, environmentally compatible, efficient
and prospering air transport system.