Speaker Biograghy: Mario is responsible for the overall management of Houston Airport System’s three aviation facilities: George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) and Ellington Airport (EFD). He is one of the industry’s leading authorities on future developments in commercial aviation. He was recently awarded the Aviation Director of the Year by ARN (Airport Revenue News). Mario was instrumental in the effort to establish regional international flight service at Hobby Airport, a goal that will be realised in 2015. He also welcomed the first Airbus A380 aircraft to operate regularly scheduled services in Texas, and played a key role in securing Turkish Airlines and Air China. Mario earned his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Business Administration in Finance degrees from Rutgers University in Newark, New Jersey.


Day 1 - 10 March
Session: Airport Design, Planning & Development

11:10 - 11:35 - Mature airport terminal infrastructure – renovate or replace?
Synopsis: The aviation market in the United States is mature with ageing infrastructure. Most airport terminals in the USA were constructed in the 1960s and 1970s – almost 60 years ago. US airports, along with their airline tenants, must decide if these terminals can be cost-effectively renovated and modernised or if they should be razed and rebuilt. The Houston Airport System and its airline tenants examined the benefits and disadvantages of each option. This process led to the critical decision to rebuild the international terminal and other supporting infrastructure at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston, Texas. Learn more about this massive project through a case study that examines the decision-making process that led the Houston Airport System to rebuild a new international terminal that connects to 70 international destinations across the globe.