ACI World and TFWA Stand with Middle East Aviation and Travel Retail Community

Airports Council International World (ACI World) has expressed its full support for airport members across the Middle East following the latest developments in the region, highlighting the mounting operational pressures facing aviation hubs and their frontline teams.

ACI World acknowledged the professionalism, resilience and coordination demonstrated by airport operators in maintaining safe and continuous operations under difficult circumstances. It emphasized that airports represent critical infrastructure and essential emergency lifelines, enabling connectivity, humanitarian support and the movement of vital goods and people during times of crisis. The organization also stressed the importance of government backing in affected countries to safeguard airport personnel and ensure both operational continuity and eventual recovery.

The statement comes as the region’s aviation and travel retail ecosystem faces renewed uncertainty. Major Middle Eastern hubs serve as strategic connectors between Europe, Asia and Africa, and any disruption carries ripple effects across global passenger flows, cargo networks and commercial revenues.

In a separate message, the Tax Free World Association (TFWA) voiced solidarity with its industry colleagues, partners and friends across the Middle East, describing the situation as an “incredibly difficult time” for the global travel community. The association underscored the human impact of the crisis, noting that daily life for many individuals and families has been abruptly disrupted.

TFWA reaffirmed its support for regional partners, including the Middle East & Africa Duty Free Association (MEADFA), and expressed hope for a swift resolution and a return to stability. Framing travel as a bridge between cultures and markets, the organization said it was heartbreaking to see cross-border connections strained by conflict and instability.

For airports and duty free operators, the stakes extend beyond short-term revenue loss. The Middle East is home to some of the world’s busiest transit airports, where non-aeronautical income, including retail and advertising, plays a central role in financial sustainability. Operational disruptions can affect not only passenger volumes but also brand campaigns, concession performance and supply chain flows.

Industry analysts note that aviation and out-of-home advertising environments within airports are highly sensitive to geopolitical shocks. Yet they are also among the first sectors called upon to support humanitarian logistics and emergency mobility.

The dual statements from ACI World and TFWA signal a coordinated industry message: operational resilience must be matched by institutional and governmental support. As the situation evolves, the focus remains on protecting frontline teams, maintaining essential connectivity and preserving the infrastructure that underpins both travel and trade.

In the meantime, industry bodies are urging partners across the value chain to prioritize safety and solidarity as the region navigates an uncertain period.