A news release from Airlines for America announced Monday that former New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, a Republican, will become the association’s President and CEO beginning Sept. 9, assuming the role from Nick Calio after his 15 years of service.

The news release praised Sununu for some of the same actions that drew criticism from some quarters, often Democratic ones, when he was governor and after he left office – especially on tax cuts. Sununu is also expected to be the key witness in the upcoming criminal trial of state Supreme Court Justice Anna Barbara Hantz Marconi.

“As Governor, Sununu cut and phased out the Interest & Dividends Tax for retirees, provided tax relief to employers and small businesses, reduced property taxes by $100 million, delivered voluntary paid family medical leave, and provided more money per pupil for public education than ever before,” the Airlines for America news release said.

When the Interest and Dividends Tax ended at the end of 2024, Republican leaders held a “wake” celebrating, but Democrats saw it differently.

Senate Democratic Leader Rebecca Perkins Kwoka, D-Portsmouth, said in a joint statement with House Democratic Leader Alexis Simpson, D-Exeter, at the time that eliminating the tax would shift more of the burden of funding state services onto local property taxpayers, “all to help the rich get richer.”

“New Hampshire already has the highest property taxes in the nation,” Simpson said at the time. “While regular people struggle with rising costs in housing, child care, health care, groceries and basics, we should not be celebrating tax policies that only benefit the wealthiest.”

But Greg Moore, state director of Americans for Prosperity, said at the time that taxing wealthy
investors is bad policy because they often contribute to the communities, nonprofits and business
where they live.

And a new analysis from the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute found that New Hampshire continues to rank last in the nation for public higher education funding, raising concerns about rising tuition costs, cuts to education services, and the future of the state’s workforce.

In the Airlines for America news release, Sununu said: “I am honored to join Airlines for America during this critical moment for an aviation industry that supports over 10 million jobs and serves as a key economic driver in communities big and small across the country.

“I look forward to working closely with our Board, President Trump and Secretary Duffy, Congress, and other aviation stakeholders to support the ongoing investment and overhaul of our air traffic control infrastructure. Strengthening and modernizing our system is vital for making the safest mode of transportation even safer and more efficient and maintaining the global competitiveness of the U.S. airline industry.”

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

A4A Board Chairman and United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said, “I’ve personally long admired Gov. Sununu, and now that he’s left politics, we’re honored to have him as the new President and CEO of A4A.

“The airline industry is one of the most essential enablers of strong economic growth here in the U.S. and for connecting and sharing American culture and values around the world. Chris is absolutely the right leader for this crucial industry in the years to come,” he said.

A4A Board Vice Chair and American Airlines CEO Robert Isom, said: “Chris has consistently demonstrated strategic vision, operational expertise and a knack for getting hard things done. At this pivotal moment for U.S. aviation, he’s the right leader for Airlines for America, and I look forward to working with him to advance aviation safety, modernize our air traffic control system, and ensure U.S. aviation continues to fuel the American economy.” 

Sununu is expected to be the key witness in the criminal case against state Supreme Court Justice Anna Barbara Hantz Marconi, who is accused of trying to interfere in a criminal investigation against her husband, state Ports director Geno Marconi, in a meeting with Sununu, and in talking with Pease Development Authority Chairman Stephen Duprey, a Sununu appointee.

Sununu and Duprey both told investigators they didn’t think Hantz Marconi did anything illegal, according to court records. Sununu, Duprey, Attorney General John Formella, another Sununu appointee, the other four Supreme Court justices, including Sununu appointee Chief Justice Gordon MacDonald, and a Superior Court Justice who formerly served as Sununu’s legal counsel, were all named as witnesses. Jury selection is scheduled for Nov. 4.