With departure of Michael Pucci to Terrace, Quest back on for an Airport Manager in Prince Rupert

The City of Prince Rupert has dusted off their template for the position of Airport Manager, the post once again open at the Digby Island Airport following the departure of former Airport Manager Michael Pucci for a post with the City of Terrace.

Pucci, who had taken on the Prince Rupert aviation post in July of 2022, was named as the Lands and Economic Development Manager for the City of Terrace on August 1st.

The City of Terrace, which often announces its staff hirings for the public, noted of Mr. Pucci's experience with the Prince Rupert Airport and prior to that with DP World.

The City of Terrace has hired Michael Pucci for the role of Lands and Economic Development Manager, effective August 1, 2023. Pucci brings a wealth of experience in business development and strategic engagement across multiple sectors and interest groups, including government and Indigenous partners. 

His most recent role was as CEO for Prince Rupert International Airport, a position he started in 2022; previously, he had worked with the Port of Prince Rupert, Canada’s fastest-growing container terminal and now the third largest in the country. 

Since 2010, he had held several positions including senior management roles involved in strategic relations and negotiations. Pucci studied international business at UNBC as well as marketing management at Douglas College.

The full welcome aboard from Terrace officials can be reviewed here.

Mr. Pucci is the second official that the City of Terrace has hired away from the City of Prince Rupert in recent months, in June Prince Rupert Deputy Fire Chief Chad Cooper joined the Terrace Fire/Rescue Department as their new chief.

The departure of Mr. Pucci from the Prince Rupert Airport post, marks the latest change in airport personnel for the city's aviation gateway, former Airport Manager Rick Leach left the city in October of 2021 for a position in Seattle, Washington.

The City's point person towards the hiring of the next manager is Antonio Vera, who serves as the City of Prince Rupert's Human Resources Manager, as well as towards duties as Acting Chair of the Prince Rupert Airport Authority.

The deadline for those interested in the position is this Thursday.

Among the challenges for whomever is chosen as the new airport manager, will be to increase the volume of flight options out of Prince Rupert, which at the moment are limited to just one Air Canada flight a day.

Building on those options whether with Air Canada or other air service providers, could serve to repatriate some of the volume of travellers who currently make the drive to Terrace to take advantage of that airport's larger volume of available flights to various destinations each day.

More notes on the aviation in the Northwest can be explored through our archive page.