Airports Council International (ACI) World has welcomed its first female chair, Candace McGraw, CEO of Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) in Kentucky.
McGraw will chair the ACI World Governing Board (WGB), which consists of 28 airport CEOs nominated by the regional ACI boards, plus the immediate past chair. The ACI WGB directs the organization through strategic discussions on key issues for airport operators that reflect the concerns and interests of ACI members for the benefit of travelers and communities worldwide.
McGraw’s appointment was approved at the ACI World Annual General Assembly in June 2023, and her two-year term will run until December 2025. She has been involved in the ACI WGB since 2018 and has been ACI World vice chair since January 2022.
McGraw became CEO of CVG in July 2011 and has over 30 years of experience in aviation, legal affairs and public administration. Since joining CVG, she has focused on positioning the airport for the future by completing a 2035 Master Plan Study; consolidating operations into a renovated terminal facility; diversifying revenues through targeted cargo, land and concessions improvements; finalizing modernized use agreements; introducing several new air carriers; and creating an efficient and fast-growing cargo airport – home to both Amazon Air’s primary US Hub and DHL Express’ Global Superhub for the Americas. In 2022, CVG witnessed the largest cargo volume growth (+16.8%) among the top 20 busiest airports for total cargo. McGraw is active in the local community as well as the aviation industry, championing issues related to gender parity, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), leadership and workforce development.
Luis Felipe de Oliveira, director general of ACI World, said, “We are thrilled to welcome ACI World’s new chair, Ms. Candace McGraw. Guided by her vision, we are confident that our organization will chart a course toward a bright future and unlock new horizons in our mission to elevate the interests of airports worldwide. Our industry faces a crossroads, a balancing act between soaring demand for air travel and the urgent need for sustainable aviation. Ms. McGraw has served on the ACI World Governing Board since 2018 and has been our vice chair since January 2022; she is the first woman to chair ACI World and we are very proud of that, considering her brilliant career and contribution to the ACI federation. With the grace of Ms. McGraw’s leadership, we are poised to emerge triumphant, steadfast in our pursuit of success.”
McGraw said, “I am honored to serve as chair of the ACI World Governing Board. I thank Sheik Aimen bin Al Hosni, our immediate past chair, for his leadership over these past several years. Nothing is more important to me than the future of this industry. Whether thinking about the long-term needs of ACI, how we can be a strong partner in the global aviation industry, or what we can do to accelerate the adoption of practices to ensure sustainable aviation, we are stronger as one. I commit to lead our World Governing Board with a sense of purpose and collaboration and appreciate the trust that has been placed in me.”
Jost Lammers, CEO of Munich Airport, succeeds McGraw as ACI World’s new vice chair, also for a two-year term running until December 2025. Lammers has been active on the ACI WGB since 2019.
To find out more about ACI World’s latest developments, click here.
Olivier Jankovec, director general of the European Region of Airports Council International (ACI Europe), Billy Shallow, director of innovation and technology at Airports Council International (ACI), and Thomas Romig, vice president of safety, security and operations at ACI World, will be speaking at Passenger Terminal Conference 2024.
Discover everything for your next-generation airport projects at Passenger Terminal Expo & Conference 2024! Plus, fantastic opportunities to network with thousands of other industry experts – this world-leading airport design and operations event is the one you can’t afford to miss!
Book your conference pass – save up to €225
Plus – an extra 5% discount for groups of 5+ delegates
3, 2 and 1-day passes available