Executive Appointments & Leadership Moves News

FlightGlobal • David Kaminski-Morrow

airBaltic names Erno Hildén CEO effective 1 December 2025; Pauls Cālītis returns to COO

Latvian carrier airBaltic's Supervisory Board appointed Finnish aviation and finance executive Erno Hildén as CEO, effective December 1, 2025. Interim chief Pauls Cālītis will revert to his prior role as COO. Hildén brings more than 25 years of international commercial aviation experience in financial and operational roles.

2025-08-19T00:24:58.369859-07:00

FlightGlobal

Chris Sununu named President and CEO of Airlines for America, succeeding Nick Calio on Sept. 9

2025-08-18T16:19:46.720836-07:00

Bloomberg

Spirit Airlines Flags Going-Concern Risk Months After Chapter 11 Exit

2025-08-11T16:04:17.464300-07:00

clickorlando.com

Veteran NASA Astronaut Jim Lovell, Commander of Apollo 8 and 13, Dies at 97

2025-08-08T12:48:11.876361-07:00

Executive Appointments & Leadership Moves News Timeline

FlightGlobal

PSA Airlines names Chris McCartney as first-ever COO PSA Airlines, a wholly owned American Airlines regional unit, has appointed Chris McCartney as its first-ever chief operating officer, effective 20 August. McCartney reports directly to CEO Dion Flannery and will oversee day-to-day operations as PSA pursues growth within American’s regional network.

2025-08-20T13:09:29.672413-07:00

PSA Airlines names Chris McCartney as first-ever COO

FlightGlobal

❗️

airBaltic names Erno Hildén CEO effective 1 December 2025; Pauls Cālītis returns to COO Latvian carrier airBaltic's Supervisory Board appointed Finnish aviation and finance executive Erno Hildén as CEO, effective December 1, 2025. Interim chief Pauls Cālītis will revert to his prior role as COO. Hildén brings more than 25 years of international commercial aviation experience in financial and operational roles.

2025-08-19T00:24:58.369859-07:00

airBaltic names Erno Hildén CEO effective 1 December 2025; Pauls Cālītis returns to COO

FlightGlobal

❗️

Chris Sununu named President and CEO of Airlines for America, succeeding Nick Calio on Sept. 9 Former New Hampshire governor Chris Sununu will become President and CEO of Airlines for America on September 9, succeeding longtime leader Nick Calio after 15 years. Sununu said he will work with President Trump, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Congress and industry stakeholders to advance air traffic control modernization.

2025-08-18T16:19:46.720836-07:00

Chris Sununu named President and CEO of Airlines for America, succeeding Nick Calio on Sept. 9

rotorhub.com

François Lassale named president and CEO of Vertical Aviation International Vertical Aviation International on Aug. 18, 2025 appointed François Lassale as president and CEO, succeeding Jim Viola. Lassale, a global helicopter industry executive and safety advocate with leadership roles at operators and safety organisations, will steer VAI’s advocacy through rotorcraft and emerging eVTOL transitions.

2025-08-18T09:42:34.274328-07:00

François Lassale named president and CEO of Vertical Aviation International

Breitflyte

Lufthansa Cargo COO Frank Bauer named to Air Cargo Community Frankfurt board Frank Bauer, Chief Operating Officer of Lufthansa Cargo, has been appointed a board member of Air Cargo Community Frankfurt e.V., bringing executive experience across finance, human resources, risk management and airline operations to the cargo community centered at Frankfurt Airport.

2025-08-18T07:24:22.357609-07:00

Lufthansa Cargo COO Frank Bauer named to Air Cargo Community Frankfurt board

Aviation Week

Robin Hayes Reflects on First Year as Airbus Americas CEO after Move from JetBlue Robin Hayes, Airbus Americas chair and CEO, marked his first year with the airframer in June 2024 after leaving a long tenure as JetBlue’s CEO, a post he held since 2008. Hayes reflects on moving from airline leadership into a major OEM regional role.

2025-08-18T06:04:29.196970-07:00

Robin Hayes Reflects on First Year as Airbus Americas CEO after Move from JetBlue

AeroTime

JFK’s New $9.5 B Terminal One CEO Jennifer Aument Details America’s Largest Terminal Project Jennifer Aument, CEO overseeing the $9.5 billion redevelopment of Terminal One at JFK, outlines progress on construction milestones, design features and timeline as the project advances toward its debut as America’s largest terminal. She highlights efforts to optimize passenger flow, accessibility and sustainability features set to reshape traveler experience upon opening.

2025-08-14T20:15:58.028066-07:00

JFK’s New $9.5 B Terminal One CEO Jennifer Aument Details America’s Largest Terminal Project

Payload

Zeno Power Appoints NASA’s Former Chief Technologist AC Charania Zeno Power has appointed AC Charania, former NASA chief technologist and recent advisor to Balerion Space Ventures, to bolster its development of space-rated power systems. Charania brings more than 25 years of experience at leading space agencies and aerospace companies.

2025-08-14T06:02:00.038159-07:00

Zeno Power Appoints NASA’s Former Chief Technologist AC Charania

Create a free account to see more recent Executive Appointments & Leadership Moves stories.

About

Hype's Leadership section provides a curated selection of news and in-depth analysis on the trailblazers and decision-makers in the aviation, defense, and space industries. This collection includes detailed coverage of leadership changes, executive appointments, and the strategic directions set by the industry's top figures, offering a clear view of the personalities driving aerospace innovation and corporate dynamics.