The sky’s
the limit
FOR SEVEN of the past eight years, the Halifax Stanfield International Airport has been rated the Best in
the World in its class by Airports Council International. For the past four years, Anil Mohan has been general counsel for the Halifax International Airport Authority, which is responsible for all airport operations.
The facility — the only one in Atlantic Canada to offer
Canada Customs services on a 24-hour, seven-days-a-week basis as well as U.S. preclearance—handles
more than 3. 5 million passengers each year and contributes over $1.22 billion to the provincial economy.
Mohan is responsible for managing all the legal issues that arise. The high-flying environment is one the
Dalhousie University law school grad is familiar with.
He previously served in the Canadian Forces as a
navigator and electronic warfare officer on a variety of
aircraft before working in private practice and then as
in-house counsel for the IMP Group, owner of CanJet
Airlines. The Nova Scotia native, who has an undergraduate degree in mathematics and statistics from
McGill University, stayed grounded long enough to talk
with In-house Counsel about a job where the sky’s the
limit. Literally. STORY BY DONALEE MOULTON
The Lawyers Weekly:
What attracted you to a job
in the transportation sector?
Anil Mohan: Airplanes are in my
blood. Working at the airport seemed
too good to be true. I also report
directly to the president. [This job]
was a chance not only to practise
law but to be part of the senior
management team.
LW: What is a highlight of the job
for you?
AM: I actually work in the terminal
building. Every day I witness the
spectacle that is air travel. You
really see a wide range of emotions.
I am very close to the customer
relationship. I see that first hand.
LW: What are some of the biggest
challenges facing the airport authority?
AM: We are incorporated specifically for
stewarding this facility on behalf of the
public. My job is to make sure we run the
best possible facility for the public while
making sure it is sustainable. We’re run
entirely off revenue from our tenants and
an airport improvement fee.
LW: What engages your interest
outside the office?
AM: I’m a family man— wife, kids,
dogs. I also still play competitive soccer. I
belong to a league. We don’t do terribly
well, but I play at least twice a week.
As well, I’m a volunteer director with
Techsploration aimed at women in the
trades…. I have a full plate. END
