May News
Sam Samaddar Elected Chair of the Canadian Airports Council 
 
Sam Samaddar, airport director of the Kelowna International Airport, has been elected as the new chair of the Canadian Airports Council (CAC). Mr. Samaddar, who has served as the council's vice chair since 2016, succeeds Howard Eng, president and chief executive officer of Greater Toronto Airports Authority.
 
"It has been a pleasure to work with Sam over the past two years during his time as vice chair of the CAC," said Mr. Eng. "Sam brings extensive knowledge of the airport industry and has been instrumental in his airport's successful growth over the past decade, promoting the efficient movement of people and goods, and providing travellers with access to more air service options to the community."
 
Mr. Samaddar began his airport career at the Vancouver International Airport in 1988. In 1992, he began working for the Kelowna International Airport as superintendent of airport operations. In 2008, Mr. Samaddar was appointed airport director for the Kelowna International Airport. He is also a board member at Tourism Kelowna, Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission and Airports Council International -- North America (ACI-NA).
 
"I look forward to my new role with the CAC, as the national trade association working with government and other industry stakeholders to provide travellers with safe, comfortable air access that connects Canada with the world," said Mr. Samaddar. "Canada's airports are an economic success story in this country. They are not only responsible for providing a safe, comfortable environment for travellers, they also play an important role in regional economic development and support nearly 200,000 direct jobs throughout Canada."
 
In addition to serving as chair of the CAC, Mr. Samaddar also joins the executive committee of ACI-NA, the parent organization for the CAC, which represents airports throughout the U.S. and Canada.
 
"The partnership and collaboration between airports in Canada and the U.S. has never been stronger," said Mr. Samaddar. "The multinational nature of ACI-NA means Canadian airports are able to work closely with colleagues on the U.S. side of the border to improve the cross border facilitation of travellers and goods, while learning from innovations and best practices being developed at airports around the world."
 
New CAC Vice Chair and More Changes to the CAC's Canadian Policy Council
 
In other changes, Joyce Carter, president and chief executive officer of Halifax International Airport Authority has been elected as the new vice chair of the CAC. As CAC vice chair, Ms. Carter also joins the board of ACI-NA.
 
Mark Laroche, president and CEO of the Ottawa International Airport Authority becomes chair of the CAC's large airports caucus. Geoff Dickson, president and CEO of the Victoria Airport Authority, has become chair of the CAC's small airports caucus.
 
Johanne Gallant, president and chief executive officer of the Fredericton International Airport Authority is a new regional director for Atlantic Canada.
 
Today,   Halifax International Airport Authority (HIAA)   and Destination Canada have signed a marketing partnership agreement to promote visitation from France to Atlantic Canada, and enhance inbound tourism and air services to the region, while helping to strengthen economic growth in Atlantic Canada. 
Halifax Stanfield International Airport

"We are excited to partner with Destination Canada to promote Atlantic Canada in a country of mutual interest, supporting tourism growth while contributing to business and trade," says Joyce Carter, president and chief executive officer of Halifax International Airport Authority (HIAA). "With strong ties to France, including the region's rich Acadian culture, and WestJet's new non-stop service between Halifax and Paris, we believe Atlantic Canada is a perfect vacation destination for visitors from France, through our air gateway at Halifax Stanfield."

As part of this partnering agreement, a fully integrated marketing and sales campaign has been developed to inspire travellers from France to Atlantic Canada through content marketing, travel trade, social media and public relations activities. The objective is to create authentic content rooted in great storytelling that will resonate with target audiences.
Ottawa International Airport Initiates Airport-Wide Cyber Discussion

The fourth Nav Canada Cyber Summit, featuring the first-ever Aviation Track sponsored by the Ottawa International Airport Authority, is now in the books and deemed a success by all.
 
Keynote addresses by cyber experts from Loblaw and D e lo itte kicked-off each day with discussions about the trends, impacts, and how companies are working to protect themselves from an ever-evolving cyber threat.
These were followed by several concurrent sessions that, in the Aviation Track's case, ran the gamut from the various risks the industry faces to the federal government's approach to cyber, how to align with other aviation partners and stakeholders to share information and different risk mitigation strategies.
 
In one presentation of note, Jeffrey Troy, Executive Director of the Aviation Information Sharing and Analysis Centre's topic "We Fly Together" discussed why the A-ISAC is an essential focal point for security information sharing across the aviation sector. The Ottawa International Airport Authority and the Greater Toronto Airports Authority have become members , and all airports were encouraged to do the same. 
 
In all, 15 Canadian airports accepted the Ottawa Airport Authority's invitation to participate in the summit, including all Tier 1 airports, and five airlines including Air Canada, Air Transat, First Air, Porter and Sunwing. They all concurred with the importance of keeping the conversation going.  
 
To maintain momentum, Scott Boyle, director of information technology for the Ottawa International Airport Authority, will be setting up regular conference calls with attendees and others to determine next steps to engage the entire industry in increasing cyber resilience.
 
In a post-conference debrief with Nav Canada organizers, it was clear that they appreciated the participation of airports, airlines, federal government agencies and other Canadian aviation sector stakeholders. With even greater possibility for next year's event, planning for the 2019 Summit will begin in the next few weeks. Most importantly, everyone agreed that collaboration, where cyber is concerned, is in the collective best interest of industry.
 
Any questions concerning the Cyber Summit or membership in A-ISAC can be directed to Mark Laroche at mark.laroche@yow.ca or Scott Boyle at scott.boyle@yow.ca.
Vancouver Airport Authority Appoints Indigenous Relations Manager as part of 30-year Agreement

Mary Point has been hired as the manager of indigenous relations at the Vancouver International Airport (YVR) as part of  the Musqueam Indian Band - YVR Airport Sustainability and Friendship Agreement.
 
Ms. Point will help to further develop the relationship between the two parties, facilitating the elements of this agreement and exploring new joint business opportunities.
 
"I am committed to ensuring this agreement meets the expectations of both groups and results in the continuous building of a positive and mutually beneficial friendship," said Ms. Point. " The Musqueam Indian Band - YVR Airport Sustainability & Friendship Agreement  is a milestone that will ensure we manage the airport for the benefit of everyone."
 
Mary brings Musqueam heritage and extensive experience in strategic communications, partnerships and community relations to her new position. She worked throughout British Columbia for two decades, developing strategic partnerships with a range of First Nations communities and local businesses.
 
The 30-year sustainability and friendship agreement recognizes that, being located on Musqueam traditional territory, the Vancouver Airport Authority has a responsibility to work with Musqueam and achieve a sustainable and mutually beneficial future for our community. The agreement includes a number of benefits including scholarships, new jobs, revenue sharing, identification and protection of archeological resources and support for ongoing operations and long-term development at the airport.
 
The Musqueam people's traditional territory occupies what is now Vancouver and surrounding areas. Although a metropolitan city has developed in the heart of Musqueam territory, the community maintains strong cultural and traditional beliefs. They live on a very small portion of their traditional territory, known as the Musqueam Indian Reserve, located south of Marine Drive near the mouth of the Fraser River.
 
Moncton and Quebec City Airports Reach Airport Carbon Accreditation Level 2

The Greater Moncton International Airport Authority and the Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport achieved Level 2 of the Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) Program in May, a worldwide program led by Airports Council International (ACI).
Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport 
 
"This certification recognizes the effort we are making to efficiently manage our atmospheric emissions and reduce the environmental impact of our activities," says Gaëtan Gagné, president and chief executive officer of the Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport. "Our goal is to improve our environmental performance on an ongoing basis and to become a leader in the airport industry." 
   
ACA is a worldwide certification program for carbon management that assesses and recognizes the greenhouse gas reduction efforts made by airports. It is based on verification by an independent third party. There are four certification levels: mapping (level 1), reduction (level 2), optimization (level 3) and neutrality (level 3+).
 
To achieve level 2, airpo
Greater Moncton Romeo Leblanc International Airport
rts must have a carbon policy and target in place, and prepare a Carbon Management Plan that explains how the airport will manage carbon emissions. The airport must also demonstrate an actual reduction in carbon emissions.
 
"This accreditation demonstrates our ongoing commitment to managing and reducing our impact on the environment, by monitoring and reviewing  our operations to identify potential improvements," says Bernard LeBlanc, president and chief executive officer of the Greater Moncton Romeo Leblanc International Airport. "With energy efficiency initiatives planned for 2018, we continue to work on further reducing our carbon footprint.
 
Halifax Airport CEO Named Top 50 CEO
 
Joyce Carter, president and chief executive officer of Halifax International Airport Authority (HIAA) has been named one of Atlantic Canada's Top 50 CEOs for the second year in a row by   Atlantic Business Magazine.
 
As a graduate of Saint Mary's University and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nova Scotia, Ms. Carter was awarded the prestigious designation of Fellow Chartered Accountant (FCA) in 2012. She obtained the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD.D) designation in 2015.
 
"As president and chief executive officer, I'm humbled to represent the dedicated people of Halifax Stanfield," says Joyce Carter. "I'm continuously inspired by the devoted employees and volunteers of the airport community. We're steadfastly progressing in passenger and cargo activity, thereby enhancing tourism, trade, investment and immigration - proof that connecting means the world."
 
Ms. Carter began her career at HIAA as vice president of finance in 1999. She became chief financial officer in 2006, chief strategy officer in 2008, and president and chief executive officer in 2014.
 
"The Top 50 CEO awards recognize corporate leadership excellence," says Hubert Hutton, publisher of Atlantic Business Magazine. "Joyce exemplifies all of the characteristics that the judges look for in a Top 50 CEO: community involvement, corporate growth, managerial acumen and industry leadership."

Canada's airports are collaborative world leaders in safe, high-quality, economically prosperous air transport. For more information on the economic impact of Canada's airports, visit cacairports.ca. 
 

InterVISTAS Has a New President and CEO

Solomon Wong, executive vice president of InterVISTAS has been appointed to the position of president and chief executive officer of the InterVISTAS Consulting Group on May 1st 2018.

Well-known within the consulting and transportation communities, Mr. Wong has more than 20 years of industry experience, specializing in transportation and airport projects for clients around the world. He will also serve in a newly-created position as director, advisory group for the aviation strategy consultancy in the business unit aviation of InterVISTAS' parent company, Royal HaskoningDHV.


Since the start of his career at InterVISTAS in 1997, Mr. Wong's capabilities and leadership style allowed him to advance through the organization while adding depth to its portfolio of client services, particularly in airport planning and developing new technology-driven border and security processes. These process improvements resulted in improved efficiencies, better customer service, cost savings and new revenues for airports, airlines, ports and other transportation clients.

"Solomon is the right leader to take us further into deepening our policy work while broadening our planning work. I have a high degree of confidence in Solomon Wong and trust him with the direction of the firm," said InterVISTAS former president and chief executive officer Deborah Meehan, who retired at the end of April.

From the development of trusted traveller programs to the integration of new technologies to reduce the space and staffing requirements of facilities, Mr. Wong has participated in several important innovations in airport processes and the regulatory/ legislative/policy environment. He has led a number of interdisciplinary teams that have advanced solutions as broad as airport hub development, to the creation of next generation passenger and cargo processes, and generating efficiencies and while improving security. 

"I am excited to work with the team to help InterVISTAS' clients develop new strategies by offering new insights into the future of transportation and tourism. I look forward to adapting our products to new ways of analyzing trends that harness the potential of emerging technologies." said Mr. Wong.
Quick Links