He’s been on the job about six months and already Iftikhar Ahmad, president and CEO of the Rhode Island Airport Corporation, is delivering on his promise to increase flights, and hence traffic, at Green Airport. On Feb. 23 Norwegian Airlines announced it would begin flights to five European destinations starting this June. Less than a week later they added a sixth destination: Bergen, Norway. Last week came the announcement that Vacation Express would offer direct flights to Cancun for the month of July.

There’s more to come than flights, as Ahmad aims to take the “anxiety” out of flying and not only make it more convenient and easy for people to use Green but in the process generate additional jobs and boost the state’s economy.

In an interview Thursday, Ahmad touched on both immediate and longer range goals to facilitate international travel and reduce the separation between travelers and their cars by not more than 350 feet with the construction of two five- to six-level parking garages in what is now the ground level short-term parking lot. The garages are in the thinking stage as a consulting firm looks at terminal ground traffic flow.

With Norwegian commencing 18 flights weekly to Ireland, Scotland and Norway this summer, Ahmad’s more pressing concern is beefing up Green’s custom, border protection facilities along with the devotion of three gates to handle the influx of passengers.

“When we had one or two [international flights] a week it was easy,” Ahmad said.

He brushes it off as something that needs to be addressed but secondary to creating more jobs.

Ahmad starts the interview talking about “badges.”

Badges?

Ahmad reaches for the one he is wearing and waves it. He explains that 2,500 people in one way or another because of their work at Green have badges. These are people who work in the terminal or outlining facilities such as parking, cargo operations or the maintenance garage. That’s a number that is down from 4,000 when Green’s annual traffic hit a high water mark of 5.7 million passengers in 2005. In 2016 passenger traffic was 3.6 million.

Ahmad is looking to bring more jobs back to Green along with businesspeople and tourists to Rhode Island. He estimates 60 percent of the international traffic will be from here to there and back while the balance of 40 percent will be European travelers to Rhode Island. On average, studies show travelers spend $977 per visit that he calculates will have a $50 million impact on the state’s economy.

Cancun, on the other hand, is a one-way destination. Ahmad said Vacation Express is “trying the market” and, contrary to the impression summer is not the time people would think of leaving Rhode Island beaches for those in Cancun, Ahmad points out it’s the time when kids are out of school and this is a family destination. The packages Vacation Express is offering, he feels, are attractive and will have people flying out of Green.

With 7 million people within a 70-mile radius of the airport, Ahmad said the market is there. To fully tap that market, he wants to make the Green experience as stress-free and convenient as possible. He talks about “anxiety.”

“Parking is a huge issue at Logan,” he said, pointing out finding a space can be time consuming and nerve-wracking if you’re trying to catch a flight. That’s why he looks to build two garages in what is now the short-term lot.

“In a minute or two you would find a spot and be in front of the ticket counter,” he said.

Ahmad, who has a background in engineering, said parking needs to be within 350 feet walking distance of the terminal. He said the airport needs to “give time back” to the traveler.

Green has a reputation for rapid security clearances.

“We have the best TSA team, it contributes to the good experience people have at PVD,” he said.

But Ahmad makes clear he is not of the mind “if you build it, they will come.” While parking garages and a redesign of the terminal loop road with greater distances between turnoffs – he said the distances between turns are too short for drivers to react to signage – would come when RIAC cash flow can support the expenses. He also has changes in mind for the terminal, noting that restrooms are not always convenient and there should be additional facilities for women.

Ahmad comes to Rhode Island from New Orleans, where he played a role in boosting passenger traffic from 7.8 million in 2009 to 10.7 million in 2015. According to a release issued by RIAC at the time of his appointment, Ahmad grew the total number of airlines serving New Orleans to a record of 15, having recruited 10 additional airlines since 2010. He also significantly increased nonstop flights from 28 to 57. Additionally, Ahmad secured new routes to Latin America, Mexico, the Caribbean, Canada and Europe.

Ahmad and his family are living in East Greenwich.

He didn’t have the time Thursday to get into questions about expanded hours of airport operation. While there is a voluntary curfew for scheduled flights between midnight and 6 a.m., morning flights are now starting after 5 a.m. and before 6. Ahmad didn’t have readily available the number of complaints over late night arrivals and early morning departures. He, however, pointed to national trends showing the use of newer and quieter aircraft.

He meets at least once a month with Mayor Scott Avedisian so that he can update the mayor on airport developments and learn of any issues Avedisian may have.