IE Business Daily Business news for the Inland Empire.
Atif Elkadi has been named Ontario International Airport’s chief executive officer.
An Ontario International employee since 2017, Elkadi has spent the last three years as its deputy chief executive officer, according to a statement on the airports’ website.
Alkali replaces Mark Thorpe, who announced his resignation in January and is scheduled to step down Thursday.
A native of Napa, Elkadi has 16 years of experience in aviation. Before coming to Ontario International, he was senior corporate communications manager at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.
Prior to that, he managed internal communications, customer service communications and social media for Dubai International Airport.
“We’re fortunate to have someone of Atif’s experience and leadership as we continue our strong recovery from the pandemic and assert ourselves further as Southern California’s airport of choice,” said Alan D. Wapner, president of the Ontario International Airport Authority, in the statement. “We have full confidence is his ability to lead our Ontario International team in serving one of the most dynamic population and economic centers in the United States.”
Since it was returned to local ownership in November 2016, Ontario International’s passenger count has risen more than 30 percent, to nearly 5.6 million travelers.
“I am extremely grateful for the support of the OIAA Board of Commissioners, and the opportunity to lead such an extraordinary team of airport professionals,” Elkadi said in the statement. “Together, we have the honor of serving one of the fastest-growing regions in the country.”
