OREANDA-NEWS. Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) has named aviation industry veteran Patricia Ornst as Director – New York state and local government affairs, effective Aug. 16, 2013. She will report to Gail Grimmett, Delta's senior vice president – New York, and work closely with Delta's government affairs team in Washington, D.C., led by Andrea Newman, senior vice president – government affairs.

Ornst brings deep experience and skills in the aviation industry, with more than 15 years experience in positions in New York and Washington, DC. Prior to joining Delta she spent two years as managing director – state and local government affairs, Northeast region for American Airlines.

Previously Ornst served as the Vice President of Aviation for the New York City Economic Development Corporation where she led aviation strategy for New York City, under Mayor Bloomberg's administration. Additionally she spent nearly seven years at Airports Council International – North America, as director of legislative affairs. 

Ornst, who grew up in New York and the Czech Republic, has a degree in political science from Susquehanna University. She was named one of "40 under 40 rising political stars in New York" by City and State newspaper in 2012.

"Patty's vast experience and knowledge of the aviation community within New York will help Delta maintain and deepen our excellent relationships in the state and city of New York," Grimmett said. "Her values and expertise are a perfect fit for Delta, New York's largest and fastest-growing airline."

Delta Air Lines provides service to more destinations from New York State than any other airline. As part of a USD 1.4 billion project to create a state-of-the-art international gateway at JFK, Delta's new Terminal 4 opened earlier this year. The airline is also investing more than USD 160 million to expand and update Terminals C and D at LaGuardia.  The unique Delta Shuttle product offers hourly service to Boston, Chicago (O'Hare) and Washington D.C. Delta's three metropolitan-area airports carried 23.1 million domestic and international passengers in 2012, up from 20.8 million passengers in 2011. Delta and its nearly 9,000 New York-based employees are part of the fabric of the New York community, acting as the official airline of the Yankees, Mets, Knicks, Rangers, Madison Square Garden, Food Bank for New York City, New York Wine and Food and AmFar among many others.