Former New Hampshire governor named CEO of airline lobbying firm
Former New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu has been named the new CEO and president of Airlines for America, a leading U.S. airline lobbying institution representing major carriers like American Airlines, Delta, and United. Sununu, who served five terms as governor, will begin leading the Washington D.C.-based trade group starting September 9.
His appointment comes at a critical time for the aviation industry, which supports over 10 million jobs and is focused on modernizing and enhancing the safety of the U.S. air traffic control system. This follows recent significant incidents, including a mid-air collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and interaction outages at Newark liberty International Airport, which have increased attention on aviation safety.
Sununu expressed his commitment to working with government officials and stakeholders to invest in and overhaul air traffic control infrastructure to keep the U.S. airline industry globally competitive and make air travel safer and more efficient.
He succeeds Nicholas Calio, who led Airlines for America for nearly 15 years and has been advocating for urgent improvements in the national airspace system. Calio plans to retire at the end of 2025 and praised Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s support of aviation modernization efforts.
Though new to the aviation sector, Sununu brings executive experience from previous leadership roles, including as CEO of Waterville Valley Resort, and extensive political experience as governor of New Hampshire. Industry leaders expressed confidence that Sununu’s strategic vision and operational skills make him well-suited to guide Airlines for America through this pivotal period.
Former New Hampshire governor named CEO of airline lobbying firm
Former New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu was announced on Monday as the next CEO and president of Airlines for America, a U.S. airline lobbying firm representing top aviation companies such as American Airlines, Delta, and United.
The five-term New Hampshire governor will pilot the Washington D.C.-based trade association effective Sept. 9.
“I am honored to join Airlines for America during this critical moment for an aviation industry that supports over 10 million jobs and serves as a key economic driver in communities big and small across the country,” Sununu said in the Airlines for America announcement.
Sununu’s appointment comes as the firm pushes for modernization and increased safety measures across the American air traffic control system, as there has been a heightened public focus on air transportation safety and security this year. In 2025, the American airspace notably saw the mid-air collision of American Airlines flight 5342 and a Black Hawk helicopter outside the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, as well as several communications system outages at the Newark Liberty International Airport.
“I look forward to working closely with our Board, President [Donald] Trump and [Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy], Congress, and other aviation stakeholders to support the ongoing investment and overhaul of our air traffic control infrastructure,” Sununu said in the Airlines for America announcement. “Strengthening and modernizing our system is vital for making the safest mode of transportation even safer and more efficient and maintaining the global competitiveness of the U.S. airline industry.”
Nicholas Calio, Sununu’s predecessor and CEO of Airlines for America for nearly 15 years, testified before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee in March.
“For over 14 years now, I’ve been saying we are at an inflection point with the [National Airspace System], and we all need to act with urgency,” Calio said in March. “Fourteen years later, I hope this Congress and this Administration will agree that it’s not acceptable to just continue to tolerate a chronically understaffed system.”
Calio, who announced his planned retirement for the end of 2025 in early January, has praised Duffy for his “endless support” for U.S. aviation and has led Airlines for America’s positive rhetoric on the Trump administration’s efforts toward modernization.
American Airlines CEO and Airlines for America’s Board Vice Chairman Robert Isom praised Calio’s leadership in the Airlines for America announcement and looked forward to Sununu’s guidance.
“Chris has consistently demonstrated strategic vision, operational expertise and a knack for getting hard things done. At this pivotal moment for U.S. aviation, he’s the right leader for Airlines for America, and I look forward to working with him to advance aviation safety, modernize our air traffic control system, and ensure U.S. aviation continues to fuel the American economy,” Isom said.
Sununu has no publicly available background in the aviation industry, but he has served as a company CEO before. He led the Waterville Valley Resort before moving into New Hampshire state politics, where he served as the state’s 82nd governor from January 2017 to January 2025.
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