The City of Philadelphia Division of Aviation, operator of Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and Northeast Philadelphia Airport (PNE) has announced Edgar Antístenes Vesga-Arias, MPR, CMI as its new Director of Air Service Development and Cargo Services, and Megan O’Connell as Director of Marketing and Branding.
“We are excited to welcome two very experienced professionals in Edgar and Megan, who will play a key role in driving future growth for the Division,” said Airport Deputy Director of Strategic Partnerships Kate Sullivan. “Edgar’s and Megan’s knowledge will help the airports forge more meaningful connections with our passengers and business partners locally, nationally and internationally. The Strategic Partnerships Team will continue to bring new routes to PHL, expand our cargo program, enhance our guests’ experience and attract new and evolve our current products and services.”
At the airport, Vesga is responsible for attracting, retaining, and expanding air service routes and increasing cargo volume by maintaining effective working relationships with carriers, logistical firms, aviation organizations and other airports. He also facilitates corporate and stakeholder relationships that maximize commercial air service operations at Philadelphia, ensuring that PHL thrives as a globally competitive gateway. Vesga joined the Division of Aviation from Philadelphia International Medicine, a premier international consortium of 10 healthcare systems, where he was President and Chief Executive Officer. Prior to arriving in Philadelphia, Mr. Vesga was a member of the executive staff and Director of the Department of International Child Health at the American Academy of Pediatrics in Chicago for over five years.
“Philadelphia’s location at the center of the I-95 corridor gives residents, visitors and the business community unprecedented access to national and international travel and cargo opportunities. I am excited be part of the diverse team of professionals responsible for making the city a premier destination and PHL the airport of choice,” said Vesga.
O’Connell is responsible for promoting PHL and PNE as a world-class gateway to the region by leading strategic marketing efforts, building relationships with major stakeholders, leveraging consumer insights to drive innovation and working with other business units to attract new airlines, routes, concessionaires and travelers. O’Connell will also be responsible for building PHL’s product management team. Prior to joining the Division of Aviation, O’Connell led marketing and customer service for MarketPlace PHL, the concessions management group that oversees the PHL Food & Shops program at the airport.
“Marketing the airport involves working closely with the airlines, our concessionaires and hundreds of other businesses that operate within our facilities, as well as the City’s travel, tourism and hospitality organizations and regional businesses and cultural institutions. I’m looking forward to building upon the relationships I developed at MarketPlace within the larger airport community,” said O’Connell.
