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Samaddar elected chair of the Canadian Airports Council

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


June 5, 2018  By Canadian Airports Council

“It has been a pleasure to work with Sam over the past two years during his time as vice chair of the CAC,” said Mr. 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.”

Mr. 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, Mr. Samaddar 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 Mr. 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, Mr. Samaddar also joins the executive committee of ACI-NA, the parent organization for the CAC, which represents airports throughout the U.S. and Canada.

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“The partnership and collaboration between airports in Canada and the U.S. has never been stronger,” said Mr. 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.”

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