The City of Dallas has internally promoted Patrick Carreno from interim director to director of aviation at Dallas Love Field.
As part of his new senior-level role, Carreno, 43, will oversee Dallas Love Field, Dallas Executive Airport, and the Dallas Vertiport.
“I am honored to be given this opportunity to serve as Director for the Department of Aviation. I am excited to be a part of the dynamic leadership team assembled here, and I am committed to continuing the advancement of the Department’s key priorities,” said Carreno in the news release.
Since joining the City of Dallas in December 2021, Carreno has served as assistant director of operations from December 2021 to November 2022 and then as interim director for the department until his recent appointment to the director position.
In these previous roles, Carreno helped Love Field renew its Level 3 Airport Carbon Accreditation, advance its partnership with Dallas-based JetWind Power Corporation, and join the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard Program, all of which were meant to drive the airport’s “safety, sustainability, and inclusivity efforts.”
In addition to the various growth initiatives, Carreno also oversaw airport security, airside/landside operations, ground transportation, emergency management, and transportation regulation, among other things.
In a statement to The Dallas Express, Carreno expressed how gratifying it is to be a part of the Dallas Love Field team and to steer the airport’s growth into the future.
“This is an exciting time for our airport, and I’m honored that the Department of Aviation and Dallas City leadership believes in my ability to lead this remarkable team,” Carreno told The Dallas Express.
While Dallas Love Field is somewhat limited in the amount it can grow due to restrictions placed on the airport by the 1980s Wright Amendment, Carreno believes the airport has a strong future ahead of it.
“Travel demand is growing, and we must make big changes to continue setting ourselves apart within the aviation industry,” he told The Dallas Express. “Going forward, our focus will remain on efficient airfield operations, reimagining terminal spaces to offer better customer experiences, being a good neighbor, maintaining a superior workforce, and implementing more sustainable strategies.”