WASHINGTON, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Former New Hampshire

Governor Chris Sununu, who passed up a chance to run for the

U.S. Senate in 2026, will serve as the head of the trade group

Airlines for America, the group said Monday.

The influential airline lobbying group includes American

Airlines ( AAL ), Delta Air Lines ( DAL ), United Airlines

, FedEx ( FDX ) and Southwest Airlines ( LUV ). Sununu, a

Republican, will take over on Sept. 9, replacing Nick Calio, a

former aide to President George W. Bush who headed the group

since 2011