THE COMMITMENTS
An airport infrastructure must be able to evolve continuously to meet the changing needs and requirements of the public interest. The challenge is complex. Viable solutions can only emerge from the interaction of different competencies.
AERIA+ wishes to facilitate an informed and constructive exchange between its members and other stakeholders. The aim is to identify common interests and opportunities.
With a pragmatic voice, the Association aims to provide an unbiased view in relevant public debates and substantive discussions. In this way, it aims to help shape the future of an efficient airport infrastructure. AERIA+ is a new force focusing on proposals.
ECONOMY
The Geneva airport platform is an economic driver. It provides direct employment to some 200 companies representing approximately 11,000 direct jobs. But, above all, its indirect contributions make it a centrepiece of regional economy. These include the import of materials and components, the export of high value-added goods, business connections, tourism, etc.
The airport infrastructure also serves as a laboratory for innovation and experimentation, particularly in areas such as digitalisation, security, efficient energy usage, green tech, new modes of transport or inter-modality.
Finally, it is a catalyst for the attractiveness of an entire region, being for training and research, culture, diplomatic relations, family contacts or discovering the world.
The economic attractiveness of our region also depends on a good environment. However, the presence of an airport infrastructure comes with nuisances in the neighbourhood (noise, traffic, pollution). In their own interest, the economic actors must deal with these negative effects in a pragmatic way.
AERIA+ is committed to the common economic interests.
MOBILITY
Modern society is defined in part by its efficient and diverse means of transportation. For the transport of passengers and goods over long distances in a short time, planes are the most suitable – and not only for the economy. It complements all other forms of mobility.
An airport infrastructure is therefore not only a central node of air transport but also is an important element in the overall mobility system. Like other mobility subsystems, it does not work in isolation. All means of transport must be seen as interconnected, interdependent, and complementary.
AERIA+ is committed to a systemic view of mobility.
PERFORMANCE
As the aviation market is very volatile, the airport infrastructure must be able to react instantly to ensure the availability of the requested services at a reasonable price. In terms of capacity, this means that it must be resilient and flexible to adapt its offer to major variations and new demands.
Users primarily assess the performance of an airport hub in terms of service quality and the network of connections. There will always be a demand for safe and efficient travel. When the low-cost business model was introduced, people were prepared to sacrifice a little comfort for a better price nor without compromise on safety. After the attacks of 11 September 2001, speedy passage through security became paramount. In the era of health restrictions, ease of check-in is the key. For a number of years now, the performance of an airport has also been measured increasingly in terms of its contribution to reducing nuisance and its carbon footprint.
As with capacity, quality requirements change over time. It is therefore important that any airport infrastructure meets the needs of the present without compromising its ability to meet future needs. It must offer sustainable solutions, whether economically, socially, or environmentally.
AERIA+ is committed to a new performance paradigm.
COOPERATION
As a point-to-point airport, the Geneva hub acts primarily in the service of the region, its population and its development potential. This economic and living area mainly comprises the Lake Geneva area (i.e. the cantons of Geneva and Vaud, part of the canton of Fribourg and Valais, the south of Lake Geneva, the Arve valley and the Pays de Gex). However, the capture area of the airport platform extends beyond this and includes some six million people within a radius of 150 km.
It is therefore important to think cross-border and to facilitate regional, national, and supranational cooperation. In this context, the strategic importance of the airport infrastructure for international Switzerland should be emphasised, especially regarding its diplomatic relations.