Airports Council International – Latin America and Caribbean Appoints a New Director General

He has authored specialist publications and has been a professor at several European universities.

Airports Council International - Latin America and Caribbean (ACI-LAC) has appointed Rafael Echevarne as the new Director General, replacing Javier Martinez who has successfully led the organization since 2010.

Rafael is a widely respected aviation professional who has worked in the air transport industry for the past 26 years; having held highly strategic roles in airport companies in the United Arab Emirates, Australia, New Zealand and Europe, as ACI World's Director of Economics, and recently as CEO of Montego Bay Airport in Jamaica.

With an extensive academic experience in economics, planning and transport management, Rafael holds a PhD in Air Transport Economics. He has authored specialist publications and has been a professor at several European universities.

The position of Director General of ACI-LAC is of key importance for the organization, as it is responsible for creating and leading the organization´s strategy and policy. In addition, Rafael will plan and coordinate the general activities of ACI-LAC and represent the organization in events and with industry groups such as the International Civil Aviation Organization, International Air Transport Association, Latin American Air Transport Association, among others.

"We have great expectations about the new drive that Rafael Echevarne will bring to our organization. We believe that ACI-LAC must continue to develop a leading role in the region, representing our partners and providing strong leadership to all of our regions´ members. There is no doubt that Rafael has the knowledge and experience to take us to the next level in a fast paced and ever changing aviation industry", says Andrew O'Brian, President of ACI-LAC.

The Director General of Airports Council International - World, Angela Gittens, indicated, "to be delighted to welcome Rafael as the Director General of the Latin America-Caribbean Region, one of the fastest growing and most dynamic aviation markets in the world. As the former Director of Economics for ACI World, Rafael broke new ground in representing airports interests to regulators, investors and stakeholders and providing key business intelligence for airport operators. He successfully accomplished his goal of bringing the airport sector to its proper place within the industry - as businesses in their own right. We look forward to working with him to bring all his talents to bear for the LAC region and for the industry as a whole."

"ACI-LAC thanks Javier Martínez for his dedication and great commitment to support the construction of what our organization has become today and we look forward to a continued collaboration." commented Andrew O'Brian. Rafael Echevarne will begin his new role, based at ACI-LAC´s Panama City offices, on Feb. 1, 2020. The executive search was conducted by Odgers Berndtson under the leadership of Tim McNamara.