Airport Executive Leadership Program

Where leaders convene

Are you a CEO, Deputy CEO, or vice-president of an airport operating organization? Are you ready to take your career to the highest level? If so, the Airport Executive Leadership Program (AELP) is your ticket.

Your boarding pass to an exclusive club of international airport professionals

The AELP – the first of its kind – is where industry game changers and thought leaders come together. Many AELP graduates have moved on to top positions at their organizations.

The Airports Council International (ACI) and the John Molson Executive Centre have partnered to create the AELP to give aviation executives the opportunity to heighten their leadership and strategic management skills.

Here’s what you need to know

Learning is hands-on. You’ll address and solve real-world and ever-shifting global industry challenges.
Blended learning (virtual classroom and online self-paced) over eight weeks to accommodate your busy schedule.
Become part of an alumni of senior airport executives.
Admission requires nomination from your chief executive officer.
Graduates receive a joint ACI/JMSB-Concordia University certificate.

Ready to nominate someone for an upcoming session? Please refer to the ACI Global Training Hub web page.

Overview

This program aims to develop airport industry leaders and to advance the professionalism of airport management practices. During the first three weeks of part-time online learning, participants will post an introductory message and take a personality type questionnaire. They will identify strategic challenges facing their respective organizations, read articles on contemporary leadership theory and complete an individual assignment.

Ideal candidates include:

Future CEOs
Deputy CEOs
Senior Airport Executives

Objectives

Foster the development of airport industry leaders, assisting them to develop their leadership and strategic management skills
Create a global forum for future leaders to network with peers
Provide participants with:
- Advice on strategies to handle leadership responsibilities in an effective manner
- Global, regional and cultural perspectives
- New professional opportunities

Program structure

Three-week, on-line introduction, initiation and discussions.
11 sessions virtual classroom component; leadership will be analyzed from different perspectives on organizational, managerial and team l levels. Leadership as a basis for transformation, innovation and change will also be discussed.
One-week recess.
Four-week on-line session built on the issues addressed in the classroom week and mainly focused on problem-based activities (individual and group assignments)

Admission requirements

The selection of participants is made based on recommendation from the applicant’s chief executive and a letter of motivation.

Participating airport professionals undertake the program while remaining employed on a full-time basis. By using a combination of distance learning and virtual classroom sessions, the AELP has a minimum disruption on the participant’s work.

Dates and fee

DATES

Onsite: Montreal (Summer 2025)

LANGUAGE

English

FORMAT

8 weeks

FEE

Least developed countries member price

$6,200 USD (list of least developed countries)*

Member/WBP price

$6,400 USD*

Regular price

$7,100 USD*

*The program fee covers tuition, program materials and a Smart Certificate.

Government incentives for executive education

Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive a certificate signed by representatives from the John Molson School of Business – Concordia University and Airports Council International.

Participants are responsible for all costs related to travel and accommodation, and for securing necessary travel documents including visas and travel insurance if applicable.

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