John Gibson Appointed Chair of the Canadian Airports Council

GTAA President and CEO Howard Eng named vice chair; new additions at director level from Halifax and Deer Lake

OTTAWA, June 10, 2014 /CNW/ - The Canadian Airports Council today announced Prince George Airport Authority President and CEO John Gibson has been appointed as the new chair of its board. The CAC also announced Greater Toronto Airports Authority President and CEO Howard Eng has been elected as its new vice chair.

Mr. Gibson, who has served as the association's vice chair since 2012, succeeds Edmonton Airports President and CEO Tom Ruth.

"Canada's airports are vitally important to growing Canada's economy and serving the needs of our communities. John's experience in the industry will help us continue to push for policy changes that will improve the competitiveness of our industry and attract more air travel to, from, through, and within Canada," said Mr. Ruth. "During John's tenure on the board, he has played an integral part in building strong relationships with senior government officials in his region and federally in Ottawa. The CAC membership is excited to move forward under John's leadership."

Mr. Gibson has served as president and CEO of the PGAA since July 1, 2009. An aviation industry veteran of over 40 years, Mr. Gibson was vice president of marketing at the John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport for eight years prior to joining the PGAA. Mr. Gibson previously held senior positions in air cargo with Canadian Airlines International, where he successfully developed a series of cargo initiatives in Japan, Asia, South Pacific, South America, and the United States.

New CAC Vice Chair and Addition of Regional Directors

New CAC Vice Chair Howard Eng has over 25 years of experience in the airport industry involving project development, planning, retail and operation. Prior to joining the GTAA, Mr. Eng served as the Executive Director of Airport Operations for the Airport Authority Hong Kong.

Additionally, Vancouver Airport Authority President and CEO Craig Richmond was named chair of the Large Airports Caucus, a policy committee that focuses on the unique needs of Canada's large airports. In this position, Mr. Richmond joins the CAC's executive committee.

In other changes to the board, Halifax Stanfield International Airport Authority President and CEO Joyce Carter and Deer Lake Regional Airport President and CEO Jamie Schwartz join as directors.

About the Canadian Airports Council

The Canadian Airports Council (CAC), a division of Airports Council International-North America, is the voice for Canada's airports community.  Its 45 members represent more than 120 airports, including all of the privately operated National Airports System (NAS) airports and many municipal airports across Canada. Canada's airports are independently operated by non-share capital corporations that are fully responsible for self-funding their operating and infrastructure costs, and balancing the needs and interests of the communities they serve. In 2012, Canada's air transportation industry had a $34.9 billion economic footprint, supported 405,000 jobs, and contributed more than $7 billion to federal taxes.

SOURCE: Canadian Airports Council

Elias Rassi, Manager of Communications and Public Affairs, Canadian Airports Council, [phone] ext 15, [email protected]