ACI Asia-Pacific Announces Young Executive of the Year 2020

Airports Council International (ACI) Asia-Pacific is pleased to announce the winner of the Young Executive of the Year 2020 award. The award aims to drive young talent development at airports in the region and stimulate professional excellence amongst future leaders. Mr. Masahito Nakashima, Assistant Manager at Central Japan International Airport Co. Ltd. was selected as 2020 Young Executive of the Year. Cargo Manager Mr. Naveen Raja Kannamala of GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd. and Security Executive Mr. Abhishek Kumar of Mumbai International Airport Ltd. received honorable mentions.  
 
Introduced in 2009, the ACI Asia-Pacific Young Executive of the Year Award is an annual research paper competition to encourage young talents in the Asia-Pacific region to contribute innovative solutions to current aviation industry issues. This year’s topic was “Future of Airport Security”.  
 
The panel of judges, chaired by Sheikh Aimen bin Ahmed Al-Hosni, CEO of Oman Airports and Secretary Treasurer of ACI Asia-Pacific, concluded that Mr. Nakashima’s submission demonstrated substantial research effort and provided thoughtful recommendations on understanding and fulfilling passengers’ needs in the context of airports. The top five submissions are posted to ACI Asia-Pacific's website for airports’ reference.  
 
“The panel of judges and I are very pleased to see the high standard of submissions. It shows that we have many bright, young talents in our region who are passionate about the aviation industry. These future leaders serve to inspire us because air transport in 10 years’ time will be very different from today,” said Sheikh Aimen bin Ahmed Al-Hosni, Chief Executive Officer of Oman Airports and Secretary Treasurer of ACI Asia-Pacific. 
 
Mr. Nakashima will receive a US$1,000 cash award and a full fellowship to the Airport Management Professional Accreditation Programme (AMPAP), a joint ACI/ ICAO programme to develop the next generation of airport leaders in all functional areas of the airport business and promote the adherence to the highest professional standards and effective sharing of best managerial practices.  
 
“The young talents that excelled this year operate in airport markets that pay particular attention to innovation. In particular, I would like to congratulate Nakashima-san for the impressive findings demonstrated in his paper. His submission provided innovative case studies for airports to reference to meet passengers’ needs and expectations,” said Stefano Baronci, Director General of ACI Asia-Pacific. “With our industry in turmoil, we can find a bright spot by continually coaching and encouraging young, talented individuals who will lead our industry in the years to come.”  
 
The Young Executive of the Year award ceremony will be held during the 15th ACI Asia-Pacific Regional Conference & Exhibition held from 15-17 September 2020 in Nara, Japan.