The voice of airports on the global stage - AIRPORTS COUNCIL INTERNATIONAL
RELOCATES TO MONTRÉAL

MONTREAL, Nov. 3 /CNW Telbec/ - Airports Council International (ACI), the only worldwide association of airports, announced yesterday during its annual general assembly, in Bermuda, the relocation of the main ACI World office to Montréal. ACI is an international organization with 575 member airport authorities, operating over 1630 airports in 179 countries.

With this move to Montréal, ACI's objective is to bring the organization closer to the UN International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the important strategic work accomplished there on behalf of the airport community. "ACI World Governing Board considers that this move will bring closer alignment with ICAO, strengthening our ability to promote airport interests in the global arena. By concentrating our ACI World subject matter experts in Montréal, we increase our ability to represent airport interests with the ICAO staff, Council members and permanent delegations," said Max Moore-Wilton, ACI Chair.

"Montréal International has been very helpful in our planning phase and supportive of this move. Now, with the Assembly approval, ACI can conclude an agreement with Montréal International that will also ensure that this move is financially sound and has long-term support in establishing our new home base in Montréal. We are grateful for this backing which helps us to make the transition under the best conditions possible," concluded Mr. Moore-Wilton.

"The establishment of ACI in Montréal is major economic news. The presence of this organization will not only help extend the city's reach and reputation around the world, it will also generate some $4.5 million in economic and tax spinoffs per year while creating 30 new jobs by the year 2014," commented the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Québec.

"The incentives the Government has put into place to draw international organizations to Québec have helped to increase our attractiveness, thus helping to make Montréal the third-most popular site for international organizations in North America, after New York and Washington. We are proud of our policy to welcome international organizations which enables us to generate significant economic spin-offs and enhance Québec's network of influence around the world," said Monique Gagnon-Tremblay, Minister of International Relations and Minister Responsible for the Francophonie.

"ACI's presence in Montréal, in addition to ICAO, is a great source of pride for Montréalers.  The establishment of these prestigious organizations, which result in concrete spinoffs for the metropolitan area, proves to us the importance of continuing to develop this type of partnership which enhances Montréal's reputation and attractiveness. I would like to welcome ACI which will certainly find Montréal to be the ideal environment for enhancing its status abroad," underlined Gérald Tremblay, Mayor of Montréal.

"This decision reinforces Montréal's role as the world's civil aviation capital. We're very proud," said James C. Cherry, President and Chief Executive Officer of Aéroports de Montréal and ACI World Former Chair.

"We are delighted that a high-profile international organization (IO) such as ACI has chosen to relocate its headquarters to Montréal. ACI thus joins some 70 IOs already present in the metropolitan region and further enhances Montréal's international status. This excellent news is the result of a productive partnership between Montréal International, the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Québec Regions, the Ministère des Relations internationales du Québec (Québec's International Relations Department) and the City of Montréal, through the International Development Fund of Montréal (FODIM), a mechanism created in 1991 in order to support IOs establishing their headquarters in Montréal ," stated Jacques St-Laurent, President and Chief Executive Officer of Montréal International.

About ACI

The Airports Council International (ACI), the only worldwide association of airports, has 575 member airport authorities, which operate over 1630 airports in 179 countries. ACI's mission is equally to promote professional excellence in airport management and operations, and this mandate is carried out through the organization's multiple training opportunities, as well as the customer service benchmarking programme, a wide range of conferences, industry statistical products and best practice publications.

About Montréal International

Montréal International (MI) was created in 1996 as a result of a private/public partnership. Its mission is to contribute to the economic development of metropolitan Montréal and to enhance its international status. Its mandates include attracting foreign investment, international organizations and qualified foreign workers, as well as promoting the competitive and international environment of Greater Montréal. Montréal International is funded by the private sector, the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal (Montréal Metropolitan Community), the City of Montréal and the Governments of Canada and Québec.

Since its creation, Montréal International has helped to attract more than $7.5 billion in foreign investment to Greater Montréal. From these investments, more than 43,000 jobs have been created or maintained. To date, MI's activities have also allowed almost half of the 70 international organizations to establish themselves in the city and attract more than 4,000 qualified foreign workers. To learn more, please visit MI Web site at: www.montrealinternational.com

For further information: