Mayra Fazio

Mayra Fazio is the General Manager of Facilities and IT for Delta Air Lines Terminal C at LaGuardia Airport. She manages the network used to support the organization’s critical systems and customer phasing systems, the terminal’s security and surveillance system, creates departmental processes and procedures, and works closely in coordination with the Port Authority, the TSA, and other stakeholders in the security system.

Ms. Fazio previously served as the Systems Support Project Manager at JFK International Airport Terminal (JFKIAT); Special, Technical Senior Project Manager at NACO – Aruba Airport Authority; Program manager for Oxford Airport Technical Services, and has over 27 years experience in airport operations, focusing on relationships with owners, contractors, operations, and all project associates.

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How did you get your start working in the aviation industry?

Mayra Fazio: My first airport job was in Ground Transportation at various terminals in JFK, which exposed me to the aviation industry. However, my aviation career really started in 1997 with JFK International Air Terminal. At the time, JFKIAT was a new company, and it was one of the first large airport third-party Terminal Operator projects in the U.S.

What are the top skills a new airport worker should have to succeed?

Mayra Fazio: To succeed in the aviation industry, a new worker should be able to work as part of a team, have strong customer service skills, follow strict safety and security protocols and regulations, and adapt to the ever-changing environment.

Did you have a mentor at the beginning of your career? Can you tell us about them?

Mayra Fazio: I did have a mentor who allowed me to grow in my role by encouraging me to gain knowledge, providing me with advice and guidance, helping me overcome challenges, and allowing me to make career decisions.

How are the insights of women in leadership roles important in fostering innovation and the commitment to sustainability and inclusivity?

Mayra Fazio: The increased participation of women in leadership roles has brought diverse experiences, valuable skills, and different perspectives in the aviation industry, thus allowing for new ways of thinking about innovation and encouraging inclusivity.

Is there an airport redevelopment project that you are most interested in seeing completed?

Mayra Fazio: The new construction projects are at JFK Airport and the Delta Air Lines terminal at LGA.

What is the most memorable moment during your career in aviation or at the airports?

Mayra Fazio: I was working at JFK, and in 2010, the eruption of a volcano in Iceland created an ash cloud that affected the European IFR airspace for about five days. With cancellations of flights, we had many people camping at the terminal; many were on vacation and didn’t have the resources to stay in hotels. 

The airport community mobilized to provide an area for the passengers to wait and provided cots, blankets, food, and even mobile shower trailers to help the stranded passengers feel comfortable. It was a community effort.

Do you want to tell us about any sustainability initiatives your company has implemented?

Mayra Fazio: Sustainability is part of the day-to-day operations at LaGuardia Airport. Delta Air Lines has a plethora of sustainability initiatives, but one that interests me is the new Information Broker.

The Information Broker serves as a unified platform for collecting data from any and all airport systems. It collects data that can be used to improve passenger experience, maximize operational efficiency, and reduce energy costs.

Have you noticed any lasting changes in the workplace since the Pandemic?

Mayra Fazio: One of the lasting changes in the aviation industry since the Pandemic has been the changes in digital platforms, in which more and more critical touchpoints of the passenger’s journey are done without much interaction, from check-in to bag drop to screening points and even inflight services.