Tom Fricke: Voice of experience now at the OTG helm

US. Newly named OTG Chairman of the Board of Directors and Interim CEO Tom Fricke is to speak at The Airport Food & Beverage (FAB) + Hospitality Conference & Awards to be hosted by Ontario International Airport on 25-26 June.

As reported, the much-respected executive and former HMSHost CEO (2012-2014) is assuming the leadership reins at OTG following the announcement that the innovative airport restaurateur is to be acquired by an investment consortium.

The consortium is led by funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management and Centerbridge Partners and includes Sculptor Capital, CPPIB Credit Investments III and Oak Hill Advisors.

Meanwhile passenger traffic continues to surge at host airport Ontario International Airport with an increase of +12.4% year-on-year in November to 575,877. Domestic travellers rose by +8.9% to 535,507 while international passenger traffic surged by +98.9% from a small base to 40,370.

From January through November, Ontario International Airport reported an +11.7% year-on-year rise in passenger traffic to 5.8 million – 5.5 million domestic and 374,000 international.

Domestic travel volume was +8.1% higher than the first 11 months of 2023 while the number of international passengers more than doubled.

“Ontario International continues to show strong and steady passenger growth, and by the last week of November, our airport had already exceeded the total passenger count we achieved during the entire year in 2022,” said Ontario International Airport Authority Chief Executive Officer Atif Elkadi.

“As we have experienced throughout the year, our airline partners and air travellers continued to show their confidence in our facilities, services and amenities, and we look forward to closing out 2023 with record-breaking volumes.”

Elkadi will also address FAB 2024 in what promises to be a seminal edition of the only global airport food & beverage and hospitality event.

Encouraging passenger traffic results from the host of FAB 2024.

*Footnote: The Moodie Davitt Report is developing a stellar speakers’ line-up for FAB 2024. Critically, we are seeking a diverse and inclusive array of speakers. If you have an interest in participating at the event, please contact Vincci Chung at Vincci@MoodieDavittReport.com