Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), the company in charge of operation and management of Abu Dhabi and Al Ain airports, has appointed James E. Bennett as its new chief executive officer.

Bennett was the president & chief executive officer of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) since 2003 and brings a broad range of aviation business experience to his new role, ADAC said in a statement.

At MWAA, Bennett led a multi-disciplinary organisation consisting of over 1,400 employees operating Ronald Reagan Washington National, Washington Dulles International Airport and the Dulles Toll Road.

Managing, planning and directing all programmes and activities of the MWAA - a quasi-public, stand-alone business enterprise with annual revenues of over $650 million - Bennett was, among other things,  responsible for the execution of the $7.1 billion reconstruction and expansion of Dulles Airport; in addition to the $1billion that it has previously invested in Ronald Reagan Washington National.

An industry veteran, Bennett is all set to become the chairman of the American Association of Airport Executives from next month.
 
Khalifa Al Mazrouei, chairman of ADAC, said: "Bennet joins ADAC at an important phase in its short history and I am confident that under his leadership ADAC will continue to develop into a world class airport company. He takes over from the acting CEO, John Stent, on June 1."

Al Mazrouei thanked John for his important contribution to the business since last June.

"We have a clear vision for the future of Adac and for the airport businesses within the group and Bennett is ideally qualified to help us realize that vision over the coming years," he added.

On his new role, Bennett said: "I am excited to have this opportunity. My focus will be to build on the strong foundations already in place, further cementing ADAC’s role as a leading world hub and ensuring the company’s growth in constructive partnership with all relevant stakeholders.”-TradeArabia News Service