City Announces New CEO of Philadelphia International Airport
Atif Saeed appointed as the new CEO of the City’s Division of Aviation
PHILADELPHIA – Mayor Jim Kenney announced today that Atif Saeed will become the new Chief Executive Officer of the Division of Aviation, which includes Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and Northeast Philadelphia Airport (PNE), effective December 1, 2022.
“After a rigorous selection process, evaluating a diverse slate of excellent candidates, I am proud to announce Atif Saeed’s appointment as the new CEO of the Division of Aviation. Saeed’s leadership will be critical in helping enhance Philadelphia International Airport’s position as a major economic driver for the city and region, helping to support thousands of jobs,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. “Atif Saeed brings a broad background across three large hub airports including Phoenix, Atlanta and Minneapolis and I am confident that his experience across commercial, finance, and overall airport operations will be invaluable as he leads the team working to position the airport as a world class global gateway of choice for the city and the surrounding region. I also want to thank Keith Brune for stepping up into the role of interim CEO while we conducted this national search to choose a permanent candidate.”
Saeed has a broad background in airport commercial, finance, and operations. He currently serves as the CFO of the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC), which operates Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) and six general aviation airports, managing multiple departments: finance, accounting, purchasing, risk insurance, employee benefits, commercial management, concessions, properties, airline affairs and human resources.
Saeed holds several airport industry certifications, including Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E.) from American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), and International Airport Professional (IAP) from Airport Council International (ACI). He also completed the Airport Executive Leadership Program through Concordia University’s John Molson School of Business. He joined the MAC in 2015 overseeing landside operations at MSP Airport and was quickly promoted two years later to Vice President, Finance and Revenue Development as the result of a reorganization. In 2019, Saeed was promoted to his current role of Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining the MAC, he served as Director for Transportation at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).
From 2016 to 2020, MSP was named the Best Airport in North America by ACI in the 25-40 million passenger category. Saeed’s leadership contributed greatly to that success through finance, concessions, and commercial management activities. Saeed spent the early part of his career as an entrepreneur, with ventures including opening an Indian restaurant in Tempe, Arizona, and starting a sedan and limousine transportation company, which he successfully grew through nine years of operation giving him a unique perspective on what small business owners face when working with airports. While Saeed was earning his undergraduate degree, he began working at Phoenix International Airport for a third-party parking management company in 2006. He later joined the Traffic and Parking Division at the City of Minneapolis’s Public Works Department overseeing the City’s parking systems where he helped turn around the overall business through revenue enhancements.
“I’m honored to lead the City of Philadelphia’s Division of Aviation and the many teams and staff that support the critical operations at Philadelphia International Airport and Northeast Philadelphia Airport,” said Atif Saeed. “I’m excited for the great opportunities ahead to grow the already substantial economic impact and jobs the airports create in the region, and their importance as a welcoming gateway for millions to experience greater Philadelphia’s historic and vibrant communities.”
Saeed holds a Master of Business Administration from Arizona State University, W.P. Carey School of Business in addition to an undergraduate degree in business management from the University of Phoenix. He most recently completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School in 2021.