LOS ANGELES – Mayor Bass recognized the Los Angeles City Council for unanimously confirming John Ackerman as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) today.
“I want to thank the City Council for their unanimous approval of John Ackerman as CEO of LAWA. John’s proven executive leadership experience at two of the top airports in the world and an entire career’s worth of expertise in the aviation industry will be invaluable to us in Los Angeles, and I look forward to our collaborative efforts ahead,” said Mayor Karen Bass. "Together, we will create more equitable opportunities for all of Los Angeles, build billions in capital improvements, transform the guest experience, be a leader in sustainability and create airports that Angelenos deserve and can be proud of. I want to thank Bea Hsu for serving as Interim CEO during this important period of transition and for her selfless commitment to serving Los Angeles.”
"I am honored by the City Council and the Mayor's confirmations and thank the Board of Airport Commissioners for their appointment," said John Ackerman, confirmed CEO appointee for LAWA. "I am grateful for the confidence Mayor Bass, the Board of Airport Commissioners, and the City Council has in me. I look forward to working with them, city departments, airport stakeholders, and community members to create airports that Angelenos deserve."
“The hiring committee centered the interest of Angelenos throughout an international search process resulting in the selection of John Ackerman to lead LAWA as its CEO,” said Board of Airport Commissioner President Karim Webb. “John will effectively and compassionately guide LAWA through this historic period of change at our airports. Thank you to the City Council for the confirmation."
“John will meet the moment at LAWA,” said Board of Airport Commissioner Vice President Matt Johnson. "His extensive experience and tested acumen will help us continue to deliver transformative capital improvement projects, innovate the guest experience, lead a talented local workforce at LAX and VNY, and bring the benefits of the airports to all corners of the City of Los Angeles. I thank the City Council for the confirmation.”
"As the former chair of the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport Board of Directors, I have observed and worked with John in many settings, both domestically and internationally,” said Sam Coats, Former Chair for the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport Board of Directors. “His team building, leadership, and professionalism have been outstanding. He possesses a tremendous work ethic and has helped DFW grow its international service more than forty percent during his tenure. He and his team have also substantially increased DFW's cargo services. I have no doubt that he will do a superb job as he takes on this new opportunity."
“John and LAWA have similar, long histories of working with airlines and other stakeholders to chart pathways that satisfy multiple objectives,” said Andrew Watterson, Chief Operating Officer of Southwest Airlines. “He’s an excellent choice to take the baton and marshal the final laps in LAWA’s transformation ahead of the 2028 games, when their work together undoubtedly will be the talk of the worldwide aviation community. A world-class airport has hired a world-class executive and that promises a bright future for LAWA and the airlines that serve LAX.”
John Ackerman will begin as CEO of Los Angeles World Airports in February 2024 following several months of service from Interim CEO Bea Hsu. Hsu helped continue major capital improvement programs and deliver world-class airports during this period of transition.