Since his arrival at RIC, president and CEO Perry Miller and his team have made exceptional strides in enhancing the RIC travel experience.
The Richmond International Airport (RIC) is a bustling place: suitcases rolling, coffee brewing and eager travelers rushing to their gates. But have you ever wondered what happens behind the scenes at RIC--and what contributes to its #1 ranking as Most Efficient Airport in North America?
During a Wilder School Lunch and Learn virtual presentation, Perry Miller, Ph.D, CEO and President of Richmond International Airport, shared insights into the airport’s operational innovations, its impact on the region’s economy and plans for the future.
Certified as a Great Place to Work for the past four years, RIC has a $2.1 billion economic impact and affects roughly 16,000 jobs. “At the airport itself, we have 26,100 badged people working in and around the Richmond International Airport,” he said. With such a large operation, he works with the Capital Region Airport Commission to ensure RIC is running efficiently.
Over the years, he and his team have made tremendous progress in establishing RIC and the Richmond community as a premier destination market. He has also acquired some accolades along the way, such as the Virginia Green Award, which indicates that RIC has contributed significantly to sustainability efforts, specifically reducing the impact on landfills. Under Miller’s leadership, RIC also received a Global Virus Advisory Council certification as a star facility for maintaining hygienic and safety standards, as well as Moody’s Investor Service and Fitch Ratings for RIC’s financial astuteness.
In addition to these accolades, RIC has seen consecutive years of record-breaking growth.
- Pre-COVID-19: 21 direct flight destinations
- Today: 38 direct destinations, including a new flight to Bermuda launching June 7
- Cargo: 220 million pounds of cargo, an 8% year-over-year growth
- Passenger volume: 4.9 million as of 2024
Miller is also committed to operational excellence to increasing supplier diversity, encouraging small businesses and DB operators to engage in airport contracts. His annual P.O.W.E.R. Opportunities Forum offers local businesses the chance to become certified. It provides a stipend to one small business, fueling its growth and creating a ripple effect across the regional economy.
What’s to come for RIC may be even more exciting. Miller and his team are currently working on several major upgrades:
- Consolidating Checkpoints A and B into a single connector checkpoint to streamline passenger flow
- Building a new Airport Rescue and Airport Firefighting Station
- Launching a parking guidance system and an enclosed walkway
- Relocating the rental car counter for better accessibility
In total, Miller has spearheaded over $56 million in capital improvements at RIC.
About Perry Miller, Ph.D.
Perry Miller has over three decades of experience in the aviation industry. He has held pivotal roles, including leadership positions at Houston's major airports and CEO in Jackson, Mississippi. Under his guidance, RIC was named the most efficient airport in North America by the Air Transport Research Society in 2023. Miller also serves on numerous national and regional boards, including the U.S. Policy Council of Airports, Council International, and Chamber RVA. He recently completed a term as chair of the American Association of Airport Executives, representing more than 10,000 airport professionals. He serves on advisory boards for Texas Southern University and Hampton University, mentoring the next generation of aviation professionals. Miller is a proud HBCU graduate of Texas Southern University. He holds degrees in airway science, transportation planning, and management.
