NEW ORLEANS — The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) announced today the election of two of its executives into leadership roles among the Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA) organization, the trade association representing commercial service airports in the United States and Canada.
Kevin Dolliole, Director of Aviation, was elected to serve as the chair of ACI-NA’s Board Finance Committee. Kristina Bennett-Holmes, Deputy Director of Aviation – Commercial Development, was elected to serve as vice-chair of ACI-NA’s U.S. International Air Service Program.
“I am very proud to see our team continue to demonstrate that New Orleans is producing leaders who others around the country can look to for help in guiding the airport industry through these tumultuous times,” said Judge Michael Bagneris, chair of the New Orleans Aviation Board.
Dolliole was elected to the ACI-NA Board of Directors in 2020 and now serves as chair of the Board Finance Committee. The Board Finance Committee acts on behalf of the ACI-NA Board to oversee financial controls, investment practices and to assist staff in the development of ACI-NA’s annual budget. In his new role, Dolliole also becomes a non-voting member of ACI-NA’s executive committee.
As the Director of Aviation for Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY), Dolliole manages operational, organizational and development initiatives including the new $1 billion airport terminal. With more than 40 years of experience in the aviation industry, Dolliole has previously worked as Director of Airports at St. Louis Lambert International Airport and Aviation Director at San Antonio International Airport.
“ACI-NA plays an invaluable role in advocating for airports across North America, and I am honored to be elected by my peers to serve as the Board’s Finance Committee Chair during such a critical time,” said Dolliole. “I look forward to working with the ACI staff to ensure the organization maintains a sound financial position so they can continue the important work they do for the aviation industry.”
As vice chair of ACI-NA’s U.S. International Air Service Program, Bennett-Holmes will help lead their forum for U.S. Airports interested in international air service and related issues, and promote the common interests of participating U.S. airports. The program focuses on development of international air services to U.S. communities and provides essential access to the negotiating table that allows for U.S. airports to promote and protect their interests with U.S. and foreign decision makers.
Among other duties, as Deputy Director of Aviation – Commercial Development, Bennett-Holmes is responsible for the recruitment and retention of air service at MSY. She led MSY’s efforts to restore transatlantic air service to New Orleans for the first time since the 1980s with the addition of Condor Airlines’ nonstop flight to Frankfurt, Germany and British Airways’ nonstop flight to London, England in 2017. In light of international travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Bennett-Holmes remains focused on retaining international air service once restrictions are lifted, and is also still actively pursuing new air service opportunities for the New Orleans market as they become available.