Regional Economics Committee Welcomes New Leaders

The Regional Economics Committee is pleased to announce that Mr. Nagy Abu Zeid of Oman Airports has been elected as the new Chair and Mr. M. Fariz Qisti M. Takwir of Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad affirmed as Vice Chair. Together, they will lead the Committee for a two-year term from 2021 to 2022. 

Mr. Abu Zeid, Vice President of Corporate Planning of Oman Airports, has been supporting ACI’s economic policy issues since joining the ACI World Economic Standing Committee in 2015 and the Regional Economics Committee in 2019.  Previously, he was a member of the ACI EUROPE Regional Task Force on Slot Allocation during his time with Zurich Airport in Switzerland. 

“I am a strong supporter of ACI’s initiatives and the Regional Office’s pivotal role in representing the airports’ interest in our fast-growing region, exchanging expertise and views in other regions and collaborating with all relevant stakeholders,” said Mr. Abu Zeid. 

Mr. Fariz Qisti, Senior Manager, Airport Economics Research & Planning of Malaysia Airports, joined the ACI Asia-Pacific Economics Committee in 2015 and has been the Vice Chair of the Committee since 2019. Mr. Qisti has also been active in the ACI World Economics Standing Committee since 2019. 

“ACI’s initiatives and advocacy work has increasingly strengthened airports’ position globally and regionally. The pandemic in 2020 has highlighted the great importance of such efforts more so now than ever before,” said Mr. Qisti. 

The Committee was established in 2015 to provide regional support to members on matters related to airport economics, and serves as a forum for members to share best practices, discuss challenges and opportunities in areas such as airport charges, models of ownership, financing and performance management. The Committee currently has 19 members and observers from Asia-Pacific and the Middle East. 

Chair 

 

In his role as Vice President of Corporate Planning of Oman Airports, Mr. Abu Zeid leads the development of Oman Airports’ Corporate Strategy, aligning with Oman’s Vision 2040 to deliver a safe, modern and customer-centric aviation sector. His key focus is to drive the business transformation of Oman Airports to become a world leading and future ready airport operator. He actively contributed to the successful opening of three airports within three years:  

 

• Salalah Airport in June 2015 
• Muscat Airport in March 2018 
• Duqm Airport in August 2018.  

In 2018 and 2019, Muscat Airport was awarded the Most Improved Airport in the Middle East in the ASQ awards.  

 

Mr. Abu Zeid has over 24 years’ experience in the aviation and travel industry. Prior to moving to Oman Airports in 2014, he led the Operations and Capacity Planning department at Zurich Airport in Switzerland for five years. 

 

“I am truly honoured to be elected to lead such a powerful and well-respected organization as Chair of the Regional Economics Committee. My primary goals are to strengthen the presence and reach of this Committee, enhance mutual cooperation and strengthen relationship among key stakeholders in the largest regional travel market, proactively support the economic and environmental development of the air transport industry in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East Region, and to make a positive difference by offering my enthusiasm with fresh and sustainable solutions. I look forward to working with Fariz and the ACI Asia-Pacific team to take on the challenges leading the industry on the path to recovery from the pandemic,” he added.

Vice Chair 

 

Mr. M. Fariz-Qisti M. Takwir is the Senior Manager, Airport Economics Research & Planning of Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB). He joined the Regional Economics Committee in 2015 and has been the Vice Chair of the Committee since 2019. Mr. Qisti has also been active in the ACI World Economics Standing Committee since 2019. 

 

Mr. Qisti joined MAHB in 2006 under its Transformation Management Office before joining the newly-formed Corporate Strategy (later Planning) Division. He worked in a joint task force under the Managing Director’s Office, overseeing the strategic and regulatory execution for the business-side of aviation matters of MAHB that included National Airport Master Planning for Kuala Lumpur International Airport and 38 other airports on topics that span airport networks, airport economics and finance. More recently, Mr. Qisti began his involvement in the big data analytics team. 

 

“Looking ahead in 2021 and beyond, the airport industry will be presented with challenges that it is unaccustomed to, and rebuilding a strong economic foundation will be key in ensuring a sustainable recovery for airports. I am honoured and very much looking forward to supporting Nagy in his vision of strengthening the airport voices through close collaboration with key stakeholders as the industry navigate through these extremely difficult times,” concluded Mr. Qisti.