Kentucky International Airport CEO Candace McGraw has been appointed as the first female Chair of airport trade body, ACI World. She takes over from Sheik Aimen bin Al Hosni, CEO of Oman Airports.
McGraw has served as Vice Chair since January 2022 and has been involved at the ACI World Governing Board (WGB), which consists of 28 airports’ CEOs, since 2018. Her two-year term as Chair will run until December 2025.
Thanking Sheik Aimen bin Al Hosni for his leadership over the past several years and commiting herself to leading the WGB with a sense of purpose and collaboration, McGraw said: “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.”
Bringing a wealth of experience to her new position, McGraw has an extensive background (more than 30 years) working in aviation, legal affairs and public administration. She was made CEO of Cincinnati/ Northern Kentucky International Airport in 2011 and 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; introducing several new air carriers; and creating one of the most efficient and fastest-growing cargo airports in the world.
With McGraw stepping up from her role as Vice Chair, Munich Airport CEO Jost Lammers will now take up this position for a two-year term.
ACI World Director General, Luis Felipe de Oliveira, who at the end of 2023 announced he will be stepping down from his role at the end of 2024, said: “Our industry faces a crossroad, 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.”
