ACI World Welcomes its First Woman Chair: Candace McGraw

ACI World Chair and CEO of CVG Candace McGraw.

Airports Council International (ACI) World on Thursday welcomed its first woman Chair, Candace McGraw, CEO of Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG).

According to ACI World, with her vast industry knowledge, McGraw will lead the trade association of the world’s airports. She will chair the ACI World Governing Board (WGB) that consists of 28 leading airport CEOs nominated by the regional ACI Boards, plus the Immediate Past Chair. The ACI WGB directs the organization through strategic discussions on key subjects for airport operators that reflect the concerns and interests of ACI members for the benefit of travellers and communities worldwide.

“I am honored to serve as Chair of the ACI World Governing Board,” ACI World Chair and CEO of CVG Candace McGraw said.

“Whether thinking about the long-term needs of ACI, how we can be a strong partner in the global aviation industry, or what we can do to accelerate the adoption of practices to ensure sustainable aviation, we are stronger as one.”

McGraw has been involved in the ACI WGB since 2018 and has been ACI World Vice Chair since January 2022, succeeding Sheik Aimen bin Al Hosni, CEO of Oman Airports.

She became CEO of CVG in July 2011 and has over 30 years’ experience in aviation, legal affairs, and public administration.

Since joining CVG, McGraw has focused on positioning the airport for the future by completing a 2035 Master Plan Study; consolidating operations into a renovated terminal facility; diversifying revenues through targeted cargo, land and concessions improvements; finalizing modernized Use Agreements; introducing several new air carriers; and creating one of the most efficient and fastest-growing cargo airports in the world—home to both Amazon Air’s primary U.S. Hub and DHL Express’ Global Superhub for the Americas. In 2022, CVG witnessed the largest cargo volume growth (+16.8 percent) amongst the Top 20 busiest airports for total cargo.

“Guided by her vision, we are confident that our organization will chart a course towards a bright future and unlock new horizons in our mission to elevate the interests of airports worldwide,” ACI World Director General Luis Felipe de Oliveira said, adding that McGraw is the first woman to Chair ACI World.

“We are very proud of that considering her brilliant career and contribution to the ACI federation,” he added.

McGraw is active in the local community as well as the aviation industry, championing issues related to gender parity, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), leadership, and workforce development.

Her appointment was approved at the ACI World Annual General Assembly in June 2023, and her two-year term will run until December 2025.

As of January 2024, Munich Airport CEO Jost Lammers succeeds McGraw as ACI World’s new Vice Chair, also for a two-year term running until December 2025. Lammers has been active on the ACI WGB since 2019.