ATCA Welcomes Former New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu as New President and CEO of A4A and François Lassale as New President and CEO of VAI

ATCA welcomes former New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu as the new President and CEO of Airlines for America (A4A). He will begin his tenure on September 9 from Nick Calio, who has served in the role since 2010.

Sununu was the 82nd Governor of the State of New Hampshire, serving four terms from 2017 to 2025.

“Chris Sununu is a well-respected leader who will be able to continue the legacy that A4A has established in the aviation industry,” said ATCA President and CEO Stephen Creamer. “We look forward to working closely with him on the Modern Skies Coalition along with more than 50 other aviation associations and companies that advocate for the brand-new air traffic control (ATC) system.”

ATCA, A4A and 50 other aviation stakeholders are a part of the Modern Skies Coalition dedicated to the rapid and successful modernization of the U.S. air traffic system.

Additionally, ATCA is pleased to welcome François Lassale as the new President and CEO of Vertical Aviation International (VAI). He will begin his role this fall.

Lassale most recently served as CEO of SGi, an Indonesian operator. His career includes service as a military aviator, senior roles in commercial and civil helicopter and fixed-wing operations, and leadership positions with HeliOffshore, a leading helicopter safety organization.

“Lassale brings decades of experience in the vertical aviation industry, and his experience in the military, commercial and civilian operations will be a tremendous asset to VAI,” said ATCA President and CEO Stephen Creamer. “I look forward to working with him as safe airspace integration, especially relating to the growing array of missions that vertical lift enables, becomes more central to airspace design and operations.”

About ATCA

Established in 1956, ATCA – also known as the Air Traffic Control Association – represents the U.S. industrial base that designs, develops, and maintains the world’s largest and most complex air traffic management (ATM) system run by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as the largest Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP) in the world – handling over 50,000 daily flights across 29 million square miles of airspace. Our members operate globally and in all 50 U.S. states, U.S territories as well as prove ATM services for the Department of Defense.

ATCA members also provide state-of-the-art technologies and ATM solutions for ANSPs around the world managing a significant share of global airspace and air traffic. As the companies that design, build, test and deploy ATM solutions in the U.S. and around the world, our members have unique expertise and insight into what will best improve U.S. airspace management, as the Administration, the FAA and Congress consider investments to modernize our airspace to ensure safety, efficiency and the growing air traffic demands.

ATCA is a non-profit, non-governmental, professional organization that provides opportunities for education, collaboration, thought leadership, and advocacy to support its members. Membership is open to all who share a common interest in promoting and encouraging the advancement of aviation and airspace integration.