The ACI (Airports Council International) World's Airport Experience Summit 2025 opened on September 10 in Guangzhou, marking the first time this global gathering of aviation leaders and airport managers has been held in China.
For the organization, the choice of Guangzhou was hardly accidental. Justin Erbacci, the Director General, insisted that the city exemplifies the momentum reshaping aviation in Asia and the world. "When we had the opportunity to come here, first of all to China and then specifically to Guangzhou, we jumped at it," he said. The reason was straightforward: China has become "the powerhouse of growth in the world right now."
In his view, Guangzhou is more than a backdrop; it is a case study. The city offers live demonstrations of how to manage booming passenger numbers while rethinking what airports can be. "It's really a great opportunity for us to show how that growth is occurring worldwide and how the passenger experience can be improved," he explained. For him, the decision was "very easy," a chance to anchor ACI's presence in a city that is "emanating growth."
From provincial hub to global contender
Guangzhou's ascent has been nothing short of astonishing. When Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport first opened, it handled only a few million passengers a year. Today, the figure is nearing 80 million. Few airports anywhere have managed such a steep climb in so short a time.
What makes the story remarkable, Erbacci argued, is not just the numbers but the execution. "The airport has not only done it well, but in a manner that is exemplary and provides a great experience for customers," he said. Spacious terminals, smooth operations, and attention to service have turned Guangzhou into a showcase of how airports can evolve into centers of commerce, connectivity, and customer satisfaction.
Terminal 3, where scale meets innovation
The upcoming launch of Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport's Terminal 3 is, in Erbacci's view, far more than an expansion project. It represents a rehearsal for the aviation of tomorrow. Once operational, the airport will enter what local planners call the "three terminals, five runways" era, making it the world's largest single-terminal airport complex.
As the Director General pointed out, the scale matters because passenger traffic in China is set to double by 2046, an inexorable trend that demands new facilities. "Developing new facilities is going to be essential to meeting the demand," Erbacci observed. Unlike older terminals, the new facility is being designed from the ground up with sustainability, digitalization, and multi-modal transport in mind.
"The beauty of building new terminals today is that they can incorporate the best practices learned from across the globe," Erbacci said. Far from being "just another place where passengers take flights," Terminal 3 is meant to deliver smoother aircraft operations, fewer delays, and a far richer passenger experience. He foresees an airport experience unlike any other: "People coming to Terminal 3 are going to be overwhelmed by a much more wonderful experience than they've seen to date in Guangzhou, and in many airports around the world."
A dense cluster, united in purpose
The rise of Guangzhou's aviation cannot be viewed in isolation. It is part of a dense cluster of airports in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, one of the most runway-rich regions on earth.
Erbacci emphasized the opportunities that collaboration brings. Coordinated flight networks and seamless passenger flows, he said, could turn the cluster into a powerful economic engine, enabling travelers to move freely and explore the region, regardless of which airport they arrive in. "No matter what airport they arrive at, they should be able to explore the region and do business," he claimed.
The benefits, he added, extend beyond individual airports. Working together allows the region to maximize its collective potential. " I commend them for taking that initiative," Erbacci said, noting that ACI is committed to supporting such regional partnerships worldwide.
Reporter: Zeng Xiangxing
Video: Pan Jiajun
Poster: Lai Meiya
Editor: Hu Nan, James Campion, Shen He
