Connecticut Airport Authority Hires Marketing Consultant

The Connecticut Airport Authority  has hired a marketing consultant to enhance its marketing capabilities and to help identify new routes and enhancements for and the state’s general aviation airports. 

Dan Carstens, publisher of , will serve as marketing consultant to the new Authority.
 
“I have always strived to be part of the efforts to maximize Connecticut’s airports, especially Bradley,” Carstens said in a press release. “I’m honored and excited to partner with the CAA Board to bring in new businesses and flights, and help foster Connecticut’s economic development.”

Officials said the hiring is part of its ongoing commitment to strengthen Connecticut’s airports. Bradley has been without a director of marketing for more than a year after Luis Perez left in January 2011. Authority officials said Carstens will be an asset to the airport.

“We are delighted that Dan has accepted this position to help strengthen Bradley’s marketing so more people and companies can understand the many benefits of the airport,” Mary Ellen Jones, Connecticut Airport Authority, chairwoman, said in a press release. “Dan is well known in the airport community. This, in combination with his diverse background in the airport industry, will play an instrumental role in helping Bradley and the state’s general aviation airports reach their full potential.”

Most recently, Carstens was the publisher of The Airport News & Bradley International Cargo Guide. He has traveled to numerous locations worldwide promoting Connecticut and its airports, officials said.

Carstens holds a Connecticut real estate license and has assisted in business development efforts at Connecticut’s general aviation airports as well Foreign Trade Zones in Windsor Locks, New London, New Haven and Bridgeport. From 1982 to 2006, Carstens owned and operated “CargoZone / BDL,” an aircraft handling facility for several airline and Customs Bonded logistics customers.

He currently serves on the boards of the Bradley Development League, the Windsor Locks Chamber of Commerce, the “Bradley Family Day” charity effort, and is past President of the Connecticut International Trade Association.

The Connecticut Airport Authority was established in July 2011 to develop, improve and operate Bradley International Airport and the state’s five other general aviation airports (Danielson, Groton/New London, Hartford Brainard, Waterbury-Oxford, and Windham airports). The board has 11 members with a broad spectrum of experience in aviation-related and other industries as well as government.

Officials said the goal of the CAA is to make Connecticut’s airports, and specifically Bradley International Airport, more attractive to new airlines and bring in new routes, which supports Connecticut’s overall economic development and growth strategy.