AVIATION DIRECTOR IFTIKHAR AHMAD ANNOUNCES
DEPARTURE FROM LOUIS ARMSTRONG NEW ORLEANS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
NEW ORLEANS – Today, Iftikhar
Ahmad announced his departure as Director of Aviation at the Louis Armstrong
New Orleans International Airport. He is leaving the Airport effective October
12th to serve as the President and CEO of Rhode Island Airport
Corporation (RIAC) to lead their six airports including T. F. Green International
Airport.
“For over six years, Iftikhar has helped lead our team’s turnaround of the
Armstrong International Airport," Mayor Mitch Landrieu said. “What we
have accomplished there together would not be possible without Iftikhar’s
leadership and expertise. Together, we’ve cleaned up corruption at the Airport
and turned around the contracting process. We improved customer service and
greatly expanded concessions hours of operation from 8am-5pm to 5am- 8pm. We’ve reduced the cost of operating for
airlines, attracting dozens of new flights and locations. We completed a $300 million renovation of
the existing terminal in time for the 2013 Super Bowl. Ifthikar served the City well and we wish him
all the best on his new job.”
“I am truly humbled to have served
this community at such an important time under this Mayor,” said Mr.
Ahmad. “We have completely turned around
this airport and are now underway on a new $826 million north terminal project.
My goal was to work with the Aviation Board and staff to improve the physical assets
of the Airport and attract additional air service for the benefit of Metro New
Orleans and the Gulf South, while at the same time, working with our
neighboring communities to protect the excellent quality of life that we enjoy.
I feel like I have accomplished that and look forward to new challenges in my
career.”
Under Ahmad and the Aviation Board’s
leadership, the Airport has:
- Broke all time high passenger record in 2015 by surpassing the 10 million passengers mark with 10.7 million passengers;
- Started construction work on a new 30 gate terminal;
- Partnered with the Office of the Inspector General to reform contracting, credit card and take home car policies;
- Increased revenue totals;
- Upgraded bond ratings;
-
Expanded air service including 10 new airlines including Alaska, Allegiant, Branson Air Express, Frontier, GLO, and Spirit and 34 additions of non-stop destinations including Austin, Branson, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Indianapolis, Little Rock, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Oakland, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, and Seattle -- the Airport has an all-time record high of 57 non-stop destinations on 15 airlines;
- Expanded international air service including new airlines and destinations such as Air Canada to Toronto, Copa Airlines to Panama, Condor Airlines to Frankfurt, Germany, Delta to Cancun, Mexico, and Vacation Express to both Punta Cana, Dominican Republic and Montego Bay, Jamaica;
- Received approval to operate charter flights to Cuba;
- Completed $300M modernization project including food, beverage, retail and rental car improvements in time for the 2013 Super Bowl; and,
- Expanded restaurant and retail hours of operation from 8am-5pm to 5am-8pm daily.
Ahmad
came to New Orleans after serving as Director of Aviation at Dayton, Ohio
International Airport for four years. Ahmad also served as Vice President for
the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority from 2002 to 2006 and prior to
that, worked in various capacities within the Houston Airport System that
oversees both Houston Intercontinental and Houston Hobby Airports.
“Under this team, the Airport has
experienced continuous growth since 2010,” said New Orleans Aviation Board
Chairwoman Cheryl Teamer. “With new direct flights coming online and the new
North Terminal project underway, our future is bright. On behalf of the Aviation
Board, we would like to thank Iftikhar for his dedicated service and wish him
well in his future endeavors. We are confident that our progress will continue
and that we will be able to attract another top-notch airport director through
a national search.”
Louis Armstrong New Orleans
International Airport is the primary commercial airport in the State of
Louisiana serving over 80 percent of all passengers flying into the State. The
Airport is owned by the City of New Orleans. The New Orleans Aviation Board
(NOAB), an unattached board of the City of New Orleans, oversees the
administration, operation and maintenance of the Airport. The Airport has 15
airlines providing service to 57 non-stop destinations, including five
international destinations. A new world-class terminal complex is currently
being constructed. The new North Terminal will be complete by October 1, 2018,
in time for the 300th anniversary of the City of New Orleans.
The Aviation Board will appoint a
special committee to lead a national search for a permanent director.
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