Why the Airport Business Top 40 Under 40 Matters More Than Ever

Every year, our Airport Business Top 40 Under 40 program gives us a snapshot of something extraordinary happening across the industry. It shows us the depth of talent rising inside airports, consulting firms, engineering teams, operations centers, planning departments, and every corner of aviation where people are quietly shaping the future. It reveals a generation that isn’t simply inheriting the industry—they are rebuilding it, modernizing it, and redefining what leadership looks like in one of the most complex operating environments in the world.

In many ways, that’s what makes this program so important. The Top 40 Under 40 isn’t just a recognition list. It’s a reflection of the heartbeat of airport management: the people who drive innovation long before it makes headlines. And at a time when airports face unprecedented pressures—from technological disruption to shifting passenger expectations to the largest wave of infrastructure investment in a generation—recognizing emerging leaders isn’t a formality. It’s a necessity.

The industry is in the middle of a profound transformation. Airports are navigating massive capital programs, terminal redevelopments, funding uncertainty, workforce challenges, sustainability commitments, and the rapid acceleration of digital tools that change how we move passengers through complex systems. The next decade will require leaders who can think beyond technical skill and embrace collaboration, communication, and creativity at levels we’ve never required before.

That’s why our Top 40 Under 40 program has become such a benchmark. It celebrates the people who don’t wait to be asked to lead—they step forward naturally. They raise their hands for the hard projects. They carry a sense of ownership for their airports and communities. And they do it with a level of passion that elevates everyone around them.

Every year, the nominations remind us of something essential: this industry is rich with mission-driven professionals who believe deeply in public service. This year's winners come from a diverse mix of roles—engineers who solve multi-phase construction challenges without interrupting operations; communications leaders who rebuild trust and transparency; operations specialists who streamline movement in the face of capacity constraints; project managers who keep billion-dollar programs on track; and innovators who bring new ideas to security, sustainability, and the passenger experience.

Being named a Top 40 Under 40 winner is more than a personal achievement. For many, it becomes a defining moment in their career. It often marks the first time their contributions are recognized outside their own organizations, giving them visibility across the national aviation community. It validates the long hours, the commitment to continuous improvement, and the professionalism required to succeed in a field where the stakes are always high.

But more importantly, it cements winners as part of a larger story—one that extends beyond a single airport or company. Top 40 Under 40 honorees represent where the industry is heading. They embody the future of leadership in airport planning, operations, design, technology, and community engagement. When winners say that being selected renews their purpose or strengthens their commitment to aviation, it’s because they understand what this industry demands and they are ready to meet it.

As we publish this year’s edition, our goal is simple: highlight the leaders who are pushing airports forward and inspire the next generation watching from the wings. If the aviation system is going to meet the moment ahead, it will be because of people like the ones featured in these pages—smart, dedicated, passionate professionals with the courage to build what comes next.

Here’s to this year’s class of Top 40 Under 40. Their work isn’t just shaping airports. It’s shaping the future of aviation itself.