Api Appulingam
Api Appulingam oversees a multi-billion-dollar capital program tasked with making critical improvements and developing new infrastructure at both Philadelphia International (PHL) and Northeast Philadelphia (PNE) Airports through architectural, engineering, environmental, planning, and sustainability projects. Ultimately, she is responsible for bringing innovation to the airfield, terminals, and roadways at both airports.
Ms. Appulingam serves as the Philadelphia Chapter’s President-Elect for the Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS) and serves as a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee Vice-Chair for the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE). She is also a member of the Board of Trustees for the Free Library of Philadelphia.
In 2021, the Philadelphia Business Journal recognized her as a “Woman of Distinction” for blazing trails across Greater Philadelphia’s business landscape with her leadership, vision, and tenacity; and Airport Business magazine recognized her as a “Top 40 under 40” which showcases the aviation industry’s top talent.
Presentation
Panel discussion: Accessibility that thrives! Fundamental building blocks for sustainable accessibility
The panel will examine the global shift in the way people, live, work and interface with air travel. From accounts based on first-hand experiences of US airports and airlines, which are transforming the passenger experience for the world’s largest minority community. As passengers return to flying, two large hub airports and two of the world’s largest legacy airlines share how they expanded access by transforming spaces, communications and attitudes toward achieving a comprehensive point-to-point journey for all. The panel will open the playbook on accessibility and discuss the latest successes, innovations and opportunities as well as some lessons learned.