Cardiff Airport has appointed senior managing partner of professional advisory firm Deloitte in Wales, Wayne Harvey, as its new chair.
Mr Harvey, who retires from Deloitte at the end of this month will succeed Roger Lewis as chair of the Welsh Government-owned airport on June 1st.
It comes as the Rhoose-based airport, like all airports globally, has been hit hard by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The airport is now only dealing with freight traffic, with no chartered or scheduled services in April.
Industry experts warn that it could take three years for passenger numbers to get back to pre-pandemic levels, underpinned by a proven global vaccine for Covid-19.
Mr Harvey, who has had a 35 year career in the accountancy sector, including 26 years at partnership level with Ernst & Young and then Deloitte, said: "I’m looking forward to working with the whole team at Cardiff Airport as we tackle the challenges faced by us all in these difficult times.
"I am confident that we can continue to grow Cardiff Airport as a key economic gateway for Wales, providing great service to our passengers and employment for our communities.”
Mr Harvey, who is also chair of CBI Wales, joins as Cardiff Airport passenger numbers at the end of the financial year (2019-20), and prior to the pandemic, reached 1.58 million, an increase of over 50% since 2013.
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It has been profitable on the measure of Ebitda (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) for the last three years.
However, in light of the current uncertainties facing the aviation sector, the airport's goal of reaching three million passengers by 2025 could have to be revisited.
With a significant borrowing facility from the Welsh Government, and no external shareholders, it is arguably better placed than many 海角视频 regional airports, to ride out the current trading challenges.
However, going forward it will need to negotiate more favourable terms with airlines, on what they are prepared to pay per passenger through the terminal, to get to a position of being in the black on pre-tax profit.
With airlines able to easily move aircraft elsewhere, they often have the upper hand when negotiating with relatively smaller regional airports like Cardiff.
Mr Lewis announced in April 2019 his intention to step down as chair in October of that year. However, he agreed to remain in post until the end of this month.
During his five year tenure, he played a pivotal role in securing the first chartered route between Wales and the Middle East, which saw Qatar Airways launching its Cardiff to Doha route in 2018.
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He said: "It has been my great pleasure, privilege and honour to serve Wales over the past five years, and I am grateful to have had this opportunity. I have thoroughly enjoyed being able to lead such a dynamic team who have continuously delivered not just for Cardiff Airport, but for the country.
“Everyone can look back, with a sense of collective pride, on what has been accomplished thus far, reflected in the encouraging 2019/20 year end achievements.
“I was personally thrilled to have delivered Qatar Airways to Wales in 2018 following three years of intense negotiation.
“The challenges going forward will be considerable, but the unity of purpose that has been created over the past five years from the whole of ‘team Wales’ for Cardiff Airport to succeed will shape the future.
“I look forward to continuing to work alongside Cardiff Airport to explore the international opportunities that will, no doubt emerge, in my role as President at Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales.
“I pay sincere tribute to all of the staff at Cardiff Airport for their dedication and service. I am confident the team will continue to flourish under Wayne’s leadership. Wayne’s appointment has my wholehearted support and I wish him well in delivering the next chapter for the airport.”
Economy Minister Ken Skates said: "There is no denying Wayne Harvey will be joining the Cardiff Airport family at a time when the aviation industry is facing tough times on a global scale. However, with his proven and outstanding track record in business and finance, I am confident the Board has made a strong appointment. I look forward to working with him.
“I also want to take this opportunity to say thank you to the outgoing chair, Roger Lewis. His tenacious work ethic and warm personality proved a winning combination, and Cardiff Airport enjoyed success after success under his guidance. I wish him every success in his role as the new president for Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales.”
The airport's chief executive Deb Bowen Rees said: "On behalf of the whole airport team, I’d like to welcome Wayne to Cardiff Airport. He brings to the airport considerable business and economic experience. We will benefit hugely from his guidance and direction as we navigate our way through the current global crisis and prepare the business for restart and recovery and then delivering our longer-term ambitions for the Airport.
“Over the past five years, Roger has played a vital role in providing strategic leadership. We have all learned a huge amount from him and he has empowered us, as a Board of directors, to drive the airport business forward and deliver some huge successes.
“On behalf of the entire team, I would like to thank Roger for his hard work, dedication and for his passion, during what has been a transformational period for Cardiff Airport.”