Faye Malarkey Black, President and CEO, Regional Airline Association

Black serves as President and CEO of the Regional Airline Association and has led the organisation since February 2015. In her role, she leads an industry trade organisation representing 18 North American regional airlines and 80 associate members. In the United States, RAA member airlines operate 40 per cent of flights, employ more than 59,000 individuals and provide the only source of scheduled, passenger air service to 66 per cent of the nation’s airports.

Black oversees the daily operations of the Association, develops and executes its policy and business objectives and serves as the primary spokesperson for the regional airline industry. She is dedicated to promoting and advancing safe, reliable air service to every corner of the country. As a lifelong advocate of small community air service, Black has successfully defended against attempts to dismantle the Essential Air Service programme, raised national awareness of the growing global pilot and technician shortage and worked to secure important payroll supports to help maintain the ready status of the regional airline workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic. Under her leadership, the Association has built cross-industry coalitions and developed a new, collaborative approach to attracting and supporting the next generation of aviation professionals.

With more than two decades of experience in policy, strategic leadership, business development and management, Black has served the RAA since 1998. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pittsburgh and resides in Washington, DC with her husband and two children.