New CEO for Melbourne Airport

(CAPA) The Chairman of Australia Pacific Airports Corporation, Don Mercer, welcomed new Melbourne Airport CEO & Managing Director, Chris Woodruff.

Mr Woodruff joins Australia Pacific Airports Corporation, the operator of Melbourne and Launceston Airports, after more than 18 years experience in the aviation industry. Mr Mercer said Mr Woodruff brings an impressive breadth of experience to Southern Australia’s air hub, and he will lead a strong team that is set to deliver one of Victoria’s largest infrastructure projects over the next five years.

“We are excited about welcoming Chris to Melbourne. The challenges and opportunities in front of Melbourne Airport are immense. Chris’ experience ensures he has the industry knowledge and personal drive to lead Victoria’s airport into what is set to be a remarkable period in Australian aviation,” said Mr Mercer.

Mr Woodruff joins Melbourne Airport from BAA (formerly the British Airport Authority), where he most recently served on the boards of Western Australian Airports Corporation and Northern Territory Airports Corporation, and acted as an adviser to both companies. Internationally, Mr Woodruff most recently served as the CEO of BAA’s Budapest Airport in Hungary. Prior to his time in Hungary, Mr Woodruff was the Operations Director of Heathrow. Mr Woodruff has also worked as Retail Director for Gatwick and Heathrow Airports, as Managing Director of World Duty Free Inflight, and as General Manager of Gatwick Airport’s North Terminal.

Mr Mercer paid tribute to outgoing CEO, Chris Barlow, stating: “Over the past seven years Chris Barlow has lead Melbourne Airport through a period of remarkable change. He has lead Melbourne Airport through events such September 11 and the collapse of Ansett, along with one of Victoria’s largest construction development projects to prepare Victoria for the Airbus A380. He has built a team around him that will continue to deliver vital infrastructure for the growth of Victoria”.