Rafael Echevarne is Appointed as New ACI-LAC Director General

ACI-LAC Board of Directors has appointed Rafael Echevarne as the new Director General, replacing Javier Martinez who has successfully led the organization since 2010. Rafael is a widely respected aviation professional who has worked in the air transport industry for the past 26 years; having held highly strategic roles in airport companies in the United Arab Emirates, Australia, New Zealand and Europe, as ACI World’s Director of Economics, and recently as CEO of Montego Bay Airport in Jamaica.

With an extensive academic experience in economics, planning and transport management, Rafael holds a PhD in Air Transport Economics. He has authored specialist publications and has been a professor at several European universities.

“We have great expectations about the new drive that Rafael Echevarne will bring to our organization. We believe that ACI-LAC must continue to develop a leading role in the region, representing our partners and providing strong leadership to all of our regions´ members. There is no doubt that Rafael has the knowledge and experience to take us to the next level in a fast paced and ever changing aviation industry”, says Andrew O’Brian, President of ACI-LAC. “ACI-LAC thanks Javier Martínez for his dedication and great commitment to support the construction of what our organization has become today and we look forward to a continued collaboration.” commented Andrew O’Brian.Rafael Echevarne will begin his new role, based at ACI-LAC´s Panama City offices, on February 1, 2020. The executive search was conducted by Odgers Berndtson under the leadership of Tim McNamara.