The chief executive of Cardiff Airport, Debra Bowen Rees, has confirmed she is standing down.
It comes as the Welsh Government-owned airport last week tentatively reopened for commercial flights following the pandemic lockdown in March.
The airport has also confirmed that its chief commercial officer, Spencer Birns, will succeed her in an interim capacity when she steps down on August 1st. She will though remain as an executive director until October, to support the airport's post Covid-19 recovery.
Ms Bowen Rees was appointed chief executive of the Rhoose-based airport in 2017, having previously been managing director. She first joined the airport in 2012 from the RAF.
During her time as chief executive the airport has seen a steady rise in passenger numbers (pre-pandemic) as well as securing its first scheduled route into the Middle East with Qatar Airways.
Mr Birns joined the airport in 2006 from Manchester Airport. In 2013 he was elevated to the board of directors and as chief commercial officer is responsible for its commercial income.
Chairman of the Cardiff Airport, Wayne Harvey, said:"Firstly I would like to thank Deb on behalf of the whole airport team for her leadership over the past six years. I have been closely watching the progress the airport has made and whilst I have only been part of the team for the past few weeks, I can see the enormous, positive impact she has had.
“Spencer will be taking over the reins at a very challenging time as the aviation industry moves into the recovery phase post Covid-19.
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"He has huge industry knowledge and experience as well as a strong understanding of the Cardiff Airport business. I, along with the rest of the board will support him to navigate our way forward as we start the bounce back and look to future opportunities.”
Ms Bowen Rees said: "While it has been my long-planned intent to step down from my role at the airport at this time, it is with real mixed emotions that I move on to the next phase of my career.
I feel hugely privileged to have led the Airport team over the past six years and I am immensely proud of all that we have achieved during that time. I will never forget the momentous few days we spent in support of Team Wales during the Nato Summit in 2014 and the Champions League Final in 2017.
“I would like to thank all of the team at the airport for the incredible support they have given me since I joined them in 2012 and I will miss them all enormously.
“I look forward to continuing to work in support of Wales in my board roles with Glas Cymru and the Port of Milford Haven, both of which are nationally important companies with their values and strategic intent focused on making Wales a better place.
“These are unprecedented times for the aviation sector and our national airport faces significant challenges. I leave the airport in Spencer’s very capable hands and I look forward to supporting him over the next few months as he welcomes our customers back and leads the team through our restart and recovery plan.”
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Mr Birns said: "I would like to thank the board and our shareholders for giving me the opportunity to step up and lead the team as interim CEO. We have an amazing team which has become even more evident over the past few months as we dealt with the ever-changing global impact of Covid-19
“The aviation industry and airport will have many challenges ahead and whilst it won’t be easy, I do look forward to guiding the business through this period as our airlines re-start flying and we rebuild customer confidence in travelling.
“I also want to personally thank Deb for her leadership. The whole airport team has learnt so much from her experience and guidance since she joined us from the RAF in 2012. It has been a true privilege to have worked with her and to have been part of the airport board during such a transformational time.
“On behalf of the whole team we wish her the very best for the next stage in her career where I’m sure she’ll keep a close eye on the airport’s progress as she starts her new chapter living in West Wales.”