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Five years ago, Stefan Fornasier Fornasier embarked on an adventurous journey, when a small team of Munich Airport International (MAI) left Germany to take over maintenance and concessions at the old Terminal A of Newark Liberty International Airport, while at the same time preparing for the opening and operation of the new Terminal A (EWR-TA). Since then, a lot has happened. EWR-TA started operations in 2023 and was awarded “5 Stars” and “World’s Best New Airport Terminal” by Skytrax in 2024. Today, Stefan is the COO of our subsidiary Munich Airport NJ LLC (MANJ), the operator of EWR-TA.   𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗳𝗮𝗻, 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗮 𝘄𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗦? From 2010-2014, I was an ORAT Project Manager for MAI and supported with the opening of Hamad International Airport. Me and my family moved to Doha and needed to adapt to a very different cultural environment. So, starting a new live in a new location was something we already did, therefore, the transition from Munich to NJ was a relatively easy move for us.   𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗲? Me and my team faced multiple challenges in the different phases of MANJ’s journey: While managing the old Terminal A, we needed to keep an aging building up and running above capacity. Then hit Covid. After surviving this crisis, we had to manage the quickly recovering domestic travel in the old Terminal while preparing in parallel for the opening of EWR-TA. And since January 2023, we operate this beautiful new Terminal A while dealing with some minor but typical teething problems every new building is coming with. Together with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, TSA and our Airline partners we successfully manage to address all challenges and provide a world-class environment for all stakeholders and customers.   𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 re𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝟱 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀? Seeing the first real-life passengers using our new Terminal A on opening day. I was fascinated and proud seeing the Terminal operating under full steam – all the time and effort was rewarded on this day. The second-best moment was when we were told that Terminal A received not one but two Skytrax awards: 5-Star Certification and World’s Best New Terminal.   𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗦 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗚𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘆? I have the pleasure of working in a highly divers environment, with colleagues from all over the world, and this also comes with a high sensitivity for any form on harassment. The work culture in the US is a lot more fast paced and result-driven than in Germany.   Congratulations on your 5-year anniversary, Stefan 🎉🎈! We are happy to have you on board and tremendously proud of what you and your team achieved at EWR-TA 💯!

Susanne Fornasier

Mobile Notary Public, Signing Agent & Officiant

2mo

Congratulations hubby on this achievement. You did a tremendous job. We're proud of you!

Yasmine Alloul, ing. IAP

Vice President Engineering and Facilities Management, Munich Airport NJ LLC

2mo

I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have worked with you as my boss for the past five years; your guidance and support have been invaluable to my growth and success.

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Vivek Agarwal

Strategic Aviation Solutions Consultant

2mo

Congratulations Stefan Fornasier You were always a trail blazer and I count myself lucky to have worked with you..albeit briefly at HIA. Onwards & upwards..!!

Alexander Rahe

Senior Executive Business Development @ IDEMIA | Revenue Management, Key Account Management, Marketing Online, Marketing offline, e-commerce, public speaking

2mo

Congratulations. The Terminal A is beautiful. Keep it shining.

Dr. Andreas Landes

CEO | Renewable Energy & Green Tech Leader | Expert in Corporate Strategy, Business Development, and Investment Management

2mo

Congrats Stefan! I have immense respect for the task you took on and how you never lost your smile during all the challenges faced - hats off and to 5 more years ;)

Andrew O'Brian

President and CEO @ Centerline Airport Partners, Inc.

2mo

What an impressive job you and the MAI team have done at Terminal A. Congratulations, Stefan!

Congratulations Stefan and many thanks for your effort, hard work and immense time invested in this most important project for MAI. Great job!

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Glückwunsch, alles richtig gemacht!

Brandon Harp

Creative Technologist | Proud Dad | Star Wars Collector | Aspiring Golfer | 2022 AV Professional of the Year Nominee (AV Magazine)

2mo

Congrats on all your achievements Stefan! EWR Terminal A is a thing of beauty! Much to be proud of!

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Sudipta Bhowmik

Competency, Capability & Culture Development professional

1mo

Stefan, it’s Good to c u happy and enjoying your work life!!

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