Manchester-Boston Regional Airport Director Ted Kitchens speaks during a celebration welcoming JetBlue’s inaugural flight to MHT on Jan. 23, 2025. Kitchens is resigning from the position in April after six years in the role. (Photo by Trisha Nail)
Ted Kitchens, director of aviation at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, is resigning after serving six years at the helm and spearheading efforts to add five new airlines to MHT within that time.
Kitchens announced his resignation Friday morning in a letter to Manchester Mayor Jay Ruais and the city’s board of aldermen, stating that April 4 will be his last day in the position.
In the letter, Kitchens wrote that his decision comes as he feels he’s realized the goals he set out to achieve when he stepped into the job in 2018.
“The Airport is financially stable; we have been able to attract new air service for the Airport, as exemplified by the recent commitment made by JetBlue; and to build organizational resiliency that enabled us to not only survive the pandemic, but to come out of the period in a stronger situation,” Kitchens wrote.
During his time as director, MHT welcomed aboard ultra-low-cost carriers Spirit Airlines in 2021, and Avelo Airlines, Breeze Airways and Sun Country Airlines in 2024. Spirit, however, later suspended its service to Manchester in May 2024, citing “operational constraints,” the Boston Globe reported.
Most recently, in January, low-cost carrier JetBlue began service to MHT with an inaugural flight from Florida. The New York City-based airline last week announced service to the city’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. The move takes the place of United Airlines, which is discontinuing a route between MHT and Newark, New Jersey on March 30.
Kitchens expressed that it’s been “an honor and a privilege” to lead MHT and its team through these developments, thanking Manchester’s board of aldermen for their support.
“It is now time for me to pursue new horizons and turn the Airport over to new management to build upon the sound foundation that exists,” Kitchens wrote. “New leadership can bring a new vision and strategies that will continue the Airport on its current positive trajectory.”
In a response shared by Ruais’s office, the mayor thanked Kitchens for his service and accomplishments over the past six years.
“During that time, MHT has attracted five airlines, constructed a 64,000-square-foot cargo warehouse used by Amazon that created 300 full-time jobs for Manchester residents, tripled the amount of federal funding for capital development projects, diversified airport revenue streams, and restructured 70% of its long-term debt,” Ruais said. “His tenure will be most remembered for bringing JetBlue to the airport, along with its $48 million investment at MHT. We wish Ted the very best as he takes his talents, experience and aviation expertise to his next venture.”
Kitchens was nominated as airport director by then-Mayor Joyce Craig in July 2018, according to a report at the time. He succeeded Mark Brewer, who retired that year after over a decade in the role.
