Exeter Airport has announced Managing Director Matt Roach is leaving the business after 13 years.
During his tenure he oversaw the successful transition to new ownership as part of Rigby Group’s Regional & City Airports business, and the subsequent growth of airlines, routes and passengers at the airport.
But the Covid-19 pandemic has left the airport, like the wider aviation industry, facing a serious downturn.
Mr Roach said: “I have enjoyed my time at Exeter Airport immensely and have had the privilege to lead an amazing team of dedicated people. I am proud of the role that the Airport now plays in the south west and am confident that it will bounce back strongly from the shocks of 2020. I wish it every success for the future.”
Flybe, which supported more than 80% of flights at the airport collapsed just before lockdown in March.
The airline has since been , but there has been no indication that it will return to Exeter.
The airport has secured the restart of a number of former Flybe routes and Dublin Aerospace has restarted at Flybe’s former facilities at the airport.
But passenger numbers have dwindled and taken a further hit with the latest Lockdown 2.
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Tim Jones, Chairman of South West Business Council, said: "Matt has taken this key part of the regional economy from a local facility to become an international airport. He has masterminded much of the growth strategy, his personal commitment to this project has been unparalleled. His name and that of the airport are intertwined. Matt had achieve one of his goals which was to increase passenger numbers to over 1 million per annum. The huge disappointment of Covid-19 and how this has adversely affected air travel generally has been a massive personal blow to Matt. Additionally, he has been a significant supporter of many regional initiatives, both as a Board Member of SWBC and on numerous business committees both in the Exeter area and regionally. He will be sorely missed."
More on the economy of the South West
In September, to stave off a “worst case scenario” of closure.
A combination of the collapse of Flybe and the coronavirus pandemic and its restrictions have hit the airport hard with passenger numbers down 90% year-on-year.
Andrew Bell, CEO of parent company Regional & City Airports, said: “Matt has been an outstanding figurehead for many years and the Airport has achieved a huge amount under his leadership. He will be greatly missed, and we wish him the very best for the future.”
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