Robert Wirick

A4A

Robert “Bob” Wirick is the Managing Director of International Affairs at Airlines for America where he helps member airlines navigate complex regulatory, legislative, and geopolitical environments to unlock growth, protect enterprise value, and strengthen competitive positioning in policy-driven markets. Previously, he was the founder and Principal of Wirick Strategic Solutions, LLC (WSS), a strategic advisory firm that provides similar consulting services.

Prior to founding Wirick Strategic Solutions, Bob served as Managing Director of International Government Affairs at American Airlines, where he led the company’s global advocacy strategy across Europe, Asia, and Latin America. In this role, he represented American Airlines in complex bilateral and multilateral aviation negotiations, promoted the company’s commercial rights, and secured regulatory approvals necessary to support international expansion.

Over the course of his tenure, Bob helped generate more than billion in incremental revenue by securing route authorities, market access rights, and operational approvals that enabled American Airlines to launch and expand service in key international markets across four continents. He played a central role in protecting American Airlines’ strategic interests during the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union (Brexit), helping ensure continuity of transatlantic operations and regulatory stability during a period of significant political and economic uncertainty.

Bob was also part of U.S. government delegations in major international policy and market access negotiations, working closely with U.S. and foreign government officials, regulators, and industry leaders to grow aviation opportunities, preserve commercial rights, and maintain a level playing field for U.S. carriers in critical global markets.

He was deeply involved in the international approval process for the billion merger of American Airlines and US Airways, coordinating regulatory engagement across more than 60 countries to ensure continuity of operations and preservation of traffic rights.

In Brazil, Bob led legislative and regulatory advocacy efforts that secured approval for a 0 million investment in an aircraft maintenance hangar at São Paulo Airport, aligning public policy outcomes with long-term business strategy. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he worked with governments and regulators around the world to navigate rapidly evolving travel restrictions and reopen critical international passenger and cargo routes. His ability to engage constructively with policymakers during crisis conditions helped mitigate operational disruptions and support recovery planning.

In addition to his corporate leadership role, Bob chaired the Airlines for America (A4A) International Affairs Committee, where he brought together competing carriers to develop unified policy positions and advocate for industry priorities on a global scale. In that capacity, he helped align industry strategy, coordinate government engagement, and support regulatory outcomes that strengthened the competitiveness of U.S. airlines internationally.