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The Canadian Airports Council (CAC) announces that Sam Samaddar, airport director of the Kelowna International Airport, has been elected as its new chair. Samaddar, who has served as the council’s vice chair since 2016, succeeds Howard Eng, president and chief executive officer of the 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 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.”
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, he 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 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, 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 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, 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.
