The Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA), the operator of Ontario International Airport in California, has appointed Mark Thorpe as CEO. Thorpe had been interim CEO since July 2017.
Under Thorpe’s leadership, agreements have been reached with Frontier Airlines to run new services to Denver, San Antonio and Austin, beginning October 12, with additional service to Chicago O’Hare in early 2018. It was also negotiated that China Airlines will launch a new service between Ontario Airport and Taiwan in spring 2018.
In the three months since assuming the senior leadership position, Thorpe has developed a fiscally sound budget for the airport including new on-airport advertising and retail agreements with airport concessionaires. New agreements for in-terminal and outdoor advertising are expected to produce US$7.6m in revenues over 10 years, and the addition of app-based ride hailing services to the airport’s ground transportation program will generate additional revenues on a per ride basis.
Prior to becoming interim CEO, Thorpe was the OIAA’s chief development officer. He joined the OIAA in August 2016 with extensive experience in air service development at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and Los Angeles World Airports, the former parent agency of Ontario Airport.
Alan D Wapner, OIAA president, said, “Mark has been a valued member of the OIAA team for more than a year, having played an integral role in the transition of Ontario International Airport to local control. He understands the commission’s vision for the airport – one that is low-cost, business friendly and customer focused, not to mention innovative and collaborative in its approach with airport tenants and vendors.”