“Looking Back, Looking Ahead”

A Conversation with Kevin Burke
President and CEO
Airports Council International – North America

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​Earlier this year, Kevin Burke celebrated his 10th anniversary as President and CEO of Airport Council International – North America. During his decade in office, Kevin has seen innovation and growth in our industry, as well as a (hopefully) once in a lifetime, serious, industry-threatening challenge. Over his tenure, despite Covid, the industry transformed to a stronger, better place. Yet, ever the optimist, Kevin sees our brightest days ahead.

To reach brighter days ahead, in Kevin’s mind, the primary focus has to be infrastructure. He begins presentations by saying, “We have some of the greatest 20th century airports in the world…. Yeah, 20th century airports.” He goes on to note that U.S. airports are safe and secure, but “in many cases, they’re old.” They have to constantly adapt to our customers wants and needs. If nothing is done, we’ll still have good airports, “but we’re not addressing the needs of the people who support us.” Moreover, the need is one of constant improvement. “The entire infrastructure of our system has to be modernized and updated on a fairly regular basis if we’re going to keep our customers happy.”
 
“Airports are essential.” Soon enough, our nation’s airports will be serving different passengers – “our children and their children and totally different demands than we have right now.” Our whole industry has to keep pace. The challenge lies in finding the financial resources to support these necessary infrastructure projects and ensure that airports can provide safe, secure, and needed services to their customers.
 
This observation about the critical nature of infrastructure is most important. But Kevin has more to say. Here are three other takeaways from our conversation that everyone in the industry – concessionaires and airports – should consider and act on!

1. Airports know concessionaires “are in business to make money and [airports are] in business to please our customers. Somewhere in the middle lies what needs to be done.” Kevin thinks we must work together as partners, understand each other’s challenges, and find the middle ground to please customers and maintain profitability. “If the concessionaires don’t understand the challenges that the airport directors have, and vice versa, then we’ll have a problem. But I think the more we can talk to one another and understand our challenges, the better off we’re all going to be. And look, we both need each other. You can’t have an airport without concessions.”
2. When he started at ACI-NA a decade ago, Kevin was pleasantly surprised by the business acumen and political savvy of airport directors, who manage large enterprises while catering to many stakeholders. “They are, what I would call, a hybrid of a corporate CEO.” They have to read where their boards are coming from, their city councils are coming from, their bosses are coming from, and operate in an environment where they have a bunch of masters, so they have to serve at the same time and figure out how they’re going to build their airport, how they’re going to keep their customers happy.
3. Our businesses – airports and everyone who operates in airports – were harmed greatly by the pandemic. It’s coming back. But it probably isn’t coming back in the exact same way. Just as for airports, the concession of the future might look different to meet changing needs and wants of the new travelers.

These are just three takeaways. Throughout our conversation, Kevin offers much to think about. I encourage you to watch, listen to, or read our interesting and informative conversation at the following links:
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​​MEET OUR GUEST

Kevin Burke
President and CEO
Airports Council International – North America

​Kevin M. Burke joined Airports Council International – North America (ACI‑NA) as President and Chief Executive Officer in January of 2014. Since he joined ACI-NA, Burke has expanded ACI-NA’s reach and influence as the Voice of Airports® in North America by amplifying the important role airports play in our everyday lives, unifying the industry behind shared priorities, and advancing a common cause with non-traditional allies.

In addition to his proven government relations background and immense experience managing associations, Burke is a visionary leader who serves the airport industry as a passionate advocate for legislative and regulatory policies that strengthen the ability for airports to serve their passengers, customers, and communities.
 
Prior to joining ACI-NA, he served for 13 years as President and CEO of the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA). Growing its member programs, its financial position, its standing on Capitol Hill and around the world are among his many accomplishments at AAFA.
 
Burke began his career in 1979 at the Republican National Committee and later the Reagan-Bush Presidential Campaign, where he served as Outreach Director for the campaign’s Nationalities Division. Following the campaign, he moved to Capitol Hill to work as a legislative assistant and later press secretary to Representative Norm Lent (R-NY). Burke has more than 30 years of experience as a government relations professional, having previously led government affairs efforts for Food Distributors International, the American Bakers Association, and the National Association of Broadcasters.
 
Burke is a graduate of American University in Washington D.C., with a Master’s degree in Public Administration. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Government from the State University of New York at Brockport. Kevin and his wife Barbara Ianniello reside in Great Falls, Virginia.
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