Former New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu will become president of Airlines for America, the powerful trade group representing U.S. carriers including Delta, United, American and Southwest.He starts Sept. 9, replacing Nick Calio, who led the group since 2011.
Sununu, a Republican, joins at a time when airlines are lobbying hard for billions in federal investment to overhaul America’s aging air traffic control system, which has been plagued by staffing shortages and technical failures.The FAA is short about 3,500 controllers, a gap blamed for delays, close calls and a deadly January crash near Washington, D.C.
The current air traffic modernization budget approved by Congress is $12.5 billion but airlines continue to ask for an additional $19 billion. The group opposes credit card fee caps because they believe such restrictions would endanger the profitable frequent flyer programs that use miles to reward passengers.
Sununu, who opted against a U.S. Senate run in 2026, is expected to use his political experience and profile to push airline priorities in Washington.The industry successfully secured $54 billion in pandemic bailout funds and remains one of the most influential lobbies in the capital.
