ACI World is delighted to offer a selection of stories from the Momberger Airport Information (MAI) newsletter, a trusted, independent source of news, market intelligence, and data for airport professionals around the world since 1973.
Sign up for a free, two-month trial by clicking the button below. Please type "trial" in the user instructions window.
DIGEST FROM ISSUE NR. 1254, PUBLISHED ON 27 OCTOBER 2025
Airport Development (DEV)
Europe
IRELAND
Waterford Airport (County Waterford) will undergo a EUR 30 million (USD 32.5 million) expansion following approval from Waterford City and County Council. The project involves extending the 1,433-metre runway by more than 800 metres and widening it to 45 metres, creating a jet-suitable facility capable of attracting commercial carriers. More than 100 jobs are expected during construction, while existing search-and-rescue operations will continue without disruption.
The works are being funded by an undisclosed US investor, who will take a majority stake in the airport after passing Ireland’s foreign investment screening process. To enable the deal, the council will transfer 84 hectares of land valued at EUR 2.295 million (USD 2.5 million) for EUR 50,000 and forgive a EUR 670,000 (USD 730,000) loan. Officials said the investment was essential to safeguard the airport’s viability after years of stalled public funding efforts.
Waterford Airport first opened in 1981 as a regional facility serving south-east Ireland and hosted scheduled services for several decades, mainly to London and Manchester. However, since the loss of commercial flights in 2016, the airport has relied on general aviation and Irish Coast Guard operations. Multiple attempts to secure state or private funding failed until the current agreement, which local officials hope will restore Waterford’s connectivity and revitalise its role in regional economic development.
ITALY
Aeroporti di Roma has presented a EUR 9 billion (USD 9.7 billion) privately financed expansion plan for Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport, aimed at doubling capacity to 100 million passengers by 2046. The project, one of the largest infrastructure investments in southern Europe, includes the construction of a new terminal and an additional runway relocated eastwards to reduce aircraft noise by up to 80% in surrounding residential areas. Runway 1 will be shortened by 900 metres, with part of the reclaimed land transformed into an 85-hectare archaeological park featuring pedestrian and cycling routes.
The master plan also provides for maintenance and upgrades to existing facilities through the end of Aeroporti di Roma’s concession in 2046, alongside environmental measures such as a revised boundary for the nearby coastal nature reserve to ensure no net loss of protected land. Preliminary public hearings concluded in October 2025, and the proposal now moves to the formal approval phase. A study by LUISS University, due in November, will assess the expansion’s employment and economic impacts across the Lazio region.
This latest plan follows several earlier attempts to define a long-term development strategy for Fiumicino Airport. A previous master plan, drafted in the early 2010s, envisioned the creation of a “Fiumicino North” complex with four runways and extensive terminal expansion, but it was suspended amid environmental opposition and planning disputes. Subsequent scaled-down versions focused on incremental terminal growth and sustainability upgrades, yet lacked formal approval. The 2025 proposal represents the first fully financed, integrated master plan to reach the advanced review stage, reflecting both renewed government support and the operator’s intent to secure the airport’s future within its existing concession framework.
Save Group, the operator of Venice Marco Polo Airport, has reaffirmed plans to construct a second runway as part of its long-term airport development strategy. Company president Enrico Marchi said the project, included in the broader “Quadrante di Tessera” plan, could create up to 30,000 jobs by 2030. He acknowledged strong opposition from local groups, including 47 associations concerned about the nearby Altino archaeological site, but argued that artefacts could be relocated to a museum for preservation and public access.
Marchi stated that while the additional runway may not be immediately necessary, Save must prepare for future growth, noting that international standards typically justify a second runway once annual traffic reaches around 15 million passengers. He said the expansion forms part of a global trend toward developing airport cities that combine aviation, logistics and commercial facilities.
TURKEY (TÜRKIYE)
Turkey’s government has confirmed that construction of the new sea-reclaimed airport in Trabzon is scheduled to begin in 2026, following the completion of the tender process later this year. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said the new airport will replace the existing Trabzon Airport, which is nearing capacity, and will be the country’s third facility built on land reclaimed from the Black Sea, after Ordu-Giresun and Rize-Artvin airports.
According to Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, the project will include a 110,000 m² terminal, 65,000 m² of support buildings, and capacity for 10 million passengers annually. The development is intended to ease congestion and strengthen the region’s role as a growing tourism and trade hub for northeastern Turkey.
Russia & C.I.S.
MOLDOVA
Authorities in Moldova are advancing plans to introduce a direct passenger rail link between Chișinău International Airport (Eugen Doga) and the city centre, aiming to provide faster and more convenient access to the capital. Acting Deputy Prime Minister and Infrastructure Minister Vladimir Bolea confirmed on 20 October 2025 that test runs have already been carried out between Chișinău Railway Station and Revaca, covering the route in 12 minutes at 20 km/h.
The new service will continue to Sângera, a suburb of Chișinău, with both Revaca and Sângera stations expected to be operational by spring 2026. Once upgrades are completed, trains will operate at average speeds of around 50 km/h, allowing air passengers to reach central Chișinău in under 20 minutes.
The rail connection forms part of a wider government effort to modernise Moldova’s railway system following amendments to the Railway Transport Code earlier in 2025. These reforms are intended to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and redirect savings toward track repairs, maintenance, and service upgrades.
UZBEKISTAN
Uzbekistan has started construction of a new international airport in Tashkent, a USD 2.5 billion project intended to position the capital as a regional aviation hub. The 1,300-hectare facility, located across the Urtachirchik and Kuyichirchik districts, is being developed through a consortium of Vision Invest (Saudi Arabia), Sojitz Corporation (Japan) and Incheon International Airport Corporation (South Korea). The first phase includes a passenger terminal and airfield capable of handling 20 million passengers a year and 30 aircraft per hour.
Built to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards, the project features a 46,000 m² duty-free area and multimodal links via highway and high-speed rail. Future stages are planned to lift capacity to 24 million passengers by 2040.
The development is part of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s aviation expansion strategy, under which Uzbekistan has upgraded several regional airports and expanded its national carrier’s fleet. However, the new Tashkent airport will compete directly with Almaty Airport (Kazakhstan) and Astana Airport (Kazakhstan), both of which are undergoing major expansions led by international operators to strengthen their own hub roles in Central Asia.
While the government expects the project to generate significant long-term revenue and employment, the pace of implementation, financing structure and regional competition will determine whether Tashkent can achieve the scale and connectivity envisioned in its master plan.
North America
UNITED STATES
Bangor International Airport (Maine) plans USD 124 million in capital improvements over the next five years, following completion of a USD 47 million runway rehabilitation project. Airport Director José Saavedra said the programme includes relocating and expanding the Transportation Security Administration checkpoint to reduce congestion (USD 16.5 million), rehabilitating taxiways (USD 21 million), relocating the fuel farm (USD 25 million), and upgrading the central heating plant (USD 15.1 million). Federal funding is being sought to support implementation.
Saavedra noted that the airport has experienced passenger growth of more than 30% in five years, with departures up 42% and seat capacity rising 84% since 2015. Bangor International currently serves 15 destinations operated by five airlines and expects continued expansion, supported by a positive financial balance of about USD 500,000 this year.
Elizabethtown Regional Airport (Kentucky) is planning a major expansion involving the purchase of 200 acres (81 hectares) of surrounding land to extend and realign its main runway. The airport, located about 72 kilometres south of Louisville and 170 kilometres south-west of Lexington, will lengthen its existing 6,000-foot (1,830-metre) runway to 7,800 feet (2,380 metres) and widen it to accommodate larger aircraft. The runway will also be shifted approximately 30 degrees to improve safety during high-wind operations. The land acquisition is being undertaken jointly by the airport and the City of Elizabethtown.
Opened in 1982, Elizabethtown Regional Airport serves general aviation traffic and occasional charter operations, having welcomed notable visitors such as Toby Keith, Sheryl Crow and the Dalai Lama. The facility has expanded several times and plays a regional role supporting Hardin County’s growing industrial base, including the nearby BlueOval SK battery plant in Glendale, which supplies batteries for Ford’s F-150 Lightning and E-Transit vehicles.
The expansion aims to strengthen the airport’s capacity to support business aviation and local economic growth. According to the Kentucky Department of Aviation, the state’s aviation industry comprises five commercial service airports and 53 general aviation airports, supporting about 95,000 jobs and generating approximately USD 20 billion in annual economic output.
Rapid City Regional Airport (South Dakota) has received final approval to proceed with a major terminal expansion following confirmation of state and federal funding. The South Dakota Aeronautics Commission voted unanimously on 16 October 2025 to contribute USD 3.46 million towards the construction of a new ticketing and baggage area. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will provide USD 20 million for the same project and an additional USD 5.56 million for a new TSA checkpoint, while local sources have committed more than USD 1.3 million for both upgrades. The expansion follows a USD 10 million allocation by state lawmakers last year to support airport improvements.
The commission also approved several FAA grants for other South Dakota airports. Pine Ridge Airport will receive USD 184,300 for a snow blower and sweeper, supported by USD 4,850 each from state and local funds. Sturgis Airport has been granted USD 3.08 million for a parallel taxiway, with USD 81,110 from the state and USD 81,109 locally.
Additional approvals included a USD 1,000 reimbursement to the hosts of the Black Hills Fly-In event in Spearfish and a 75% reimbursement rate for weather camera systems, including USD 10,809.71 for the installation at Spearfish Airport.
Latin America & The Caribbean
MEXICO
Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) in Mexico City will undergo a major expansion under its second-phase “doubling programme,” beginning in 2032, to increase annual capacity from 20 million to 40 million passengers. Central to the plan is the construction of a new “mirror terminal” and supporting infrastructure, forming part of AIFA’s 30-year Master Plan to transform the airport from a point-to-point facility into a major international hub. Long-term projections anticipate capacity reaching up to 95 million passengers by 2050, which would make AIFA the country’s largest airport, surpassing Mexico City International Airport, which handled 45.4 million passengers in 2024.
The development will include expanded airside and landside facilities, new international routes, and the introduction of advanced digital systems for passenger and operations management. AIFA aims to position itself as a key connection point between Asia, Europe, North America and Latin America, supported by tourism partnerships and airline incentive programmes to stimulate demand. Viva Airlines will open nine new routes from late 2025, with additional agreements under negotiation with Chinese and European carriers.
The second phase of expansion aligns with broader regional infrastructure improvements, including the CDMX–AIFA–Pachuca train line now under construction, which is expected to serve up to 107,000 passengers daily. Enhanced rail access will improve connectivity between the airport, Mexico City and Hidalgo State, supporting AIFA’s emergence as a profitable, strategically positioned component of Mexico’s long-term aviation network.
BRAZIL
The Brazilian government has authorised bidding for a new regional airport in Caxias do Sul (Rio Grande do Sul state) with an estimated investment of BRL 200 million (USD 40 million). Construction, financed by the National Civil Aviation Fund, is due to begin between January and February 2026 and take 36 months. The project includes a 1,930-metre runway, eight aircraft stands, taxiways, access roads, drainage, operational fencing, and parking facilities. The airport will serve the growing passenger and cargo demand in the Serra Gaúcha region, benefiting Caxias do Sul, Bento Gonçalves, Farroupilha, Garibaldi, Gramado, and Canela.
The initiative coincides with Brazil’s wider AmpliAr programme, under which the government will auction concessions for 19 regional airports on 27 November, mobilising BRL 1.25 billion (USD 250 million) in investment toward a long-term plan for up to 100 regional facilities.
ARGENTINA
Aeropuertos Argentina 2000 has announced a major expansion of Córdoba International Airport to accommodate rising passenger traffic and strengthen its role as the country’s second-largest hub. Chief executive Daniel Ketchibachian confirmed that the investment will deliver a new terminal and boarding areas, runway and service upgrades, and expanded parking and commercial facilities. The project, part of the national airport modernisation plan, will prioritise local contractors and generate new employment in construction and logistics.
Designed to combine efficiency, sustainability, and regional architectural character, the expansion is planned with a ten-year outlook to meet future demand from international tourism and corporate travel. Ketchibachian said the initiative demonstrates the value of private investment in national infrastructure and reinforces Córdoba’s position as a key logistics and tourism gateway for Argentina’s interior.
(articles continue below)
View all articles from MAI
The articles on this page are only a preview of the newsletter content published twice a month, in a customizable package of modules by topic.
Please click below to take advantage of a free, 2-month trial. Please type "trial" in the user instructions window.
Africa
EGYPT
Plans to add a new Terminal 4 at Cairo International Airport remain unclear despite repeated official statements of progress. The scheme is presented as a four-year, multi-billion-dollar expansion to lift total capacity to about 60–65 million passengers a year, with Terminal 4 handling 30–40 million and supported by a new runway of roughly 3,000 m plus a parallel “Cargo City” initially sized for 1 million tonnes, expandable to 2 million.
Conflicting cost guidance persists between USD 3.5 billion and USD 4.5 billion, suggesting scope changes or inconsistent communication. Timelines are typically cited as four years from commencement, implying an opening around 2029 if construction meaningfully starts soon.
Financing is described as “self-funded” by state entities, with possible involvement from the New Urban Communities Authority, yet the structure remains opaque. In parallel, private-sector tracks have surfaced: a 2023 MoU with Pangiam, with AECOM as a partner, for smart-technology planning, and a 2025 Hill International-led proposal to refurbish the existing smaller Terminal 4 as a low-cost hub to about 7 million passengers—moves that underline uncertainty over the definitive delivery model.
Officials report design, studies and early works, but no primary construction contract awards or public groundbreaking have been confirmed, and visible heavy works have not been documented as of late 2025. Without contractor mobilisation, site clearance and foundations, the four-year schedule will be difficult to hold.
The project narrative emphasises “smart” and “green” credentials—biometrics, AI-enabled operations, energy-efficient systems and solar-covered parking—but until firm contracts, funding details and tangible on-site activity are evident, the status of Terminal 4 should be regarded as pre-construction with key elements still in flux.
SOMALIA
Authorities in Marka, the capital of Lower Shabelle Province (Somalia), have launched plans to construct a new modern airport as part of ongoing reconstruction and regional development efforts. Governor Ibrahim Adam Ali announced on 21 October 2025 the formation of an eight-member independent committee to oversee site assessment, planning, community engagement, and resource mobilisation for the project.
The planned airport is intended to enhance transportation, security, and trade links between Mogadishu and southern Somalia, while supporting agricultural and coastal economic activities. The initiative marks a major milestone for Marka, a historic coastal city that has regained stability since its final liberation from Al Shabaab in 2016.
Middle East
OMAN
Oman is advancing plans to develop three Airport Cities at Muscat International Airport, Suhar Airport and Salalah Airport (Oman), with total investments expected to exceed USD 800 million by 2030. According to Salim al Harrasi, Head of Airport Projects at the Civil Aviation Authority, the master plan for the aerotropolis developments has been finalised, with Muscat Airport City already under construction. Direct investment in Muscat Airport City has surpassed USD 80 million and is projected to reach more than USD 500 million by 2030, while Salalah and Suhar are expected to attract major new investors in the coming years.
The projects are designed to transform Oman’s key airports into integrated economic hubs that support logistics, trade, technology and hospitality industries, generating substantial non-aeronautical revenue.
Muscat Airport City will feature a 200,000 m² logistics portal, a 1.1 million m² business district, a 166,000 m² aviation zone, and a 192,000 m² hospitality area for hotels and travel services. In July, Oman Airports signed an agreement with Malaysian developer WCT International Sdn Bhd to explore investments around Muscat Airport.
Progress also continues at the Muscat Airport Free Zone, managed by Asyad Group under a concession from the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones, aimed at attracting foreign investment in logistics and trade.
At Salalah Airport City, Oman Airports has released a new master plan emphasising Dhofar’s strategic role as a logistics and export hub for agricultural and fresh food products. A pilot project linking the Port of Salalah and the airport through direct air–sea cargo transfers will enhance cargo efficiency and strengthen Oman’s regional logistics capacity.
Asia Pacific
MALDIVES
Construction has begun on the expansion of Kadhdhoo Airport (Laamu Atoll) into an international airport. The project, managed by Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), includes reclamation of 114 hectares of land for a new 2,800-metre runway and an additional 30 hectares to expand neighbouring Fonadhoo, bringing the total reclaimed area to 144 hectares. Land reclamation is expected to finish within one year, with full completion targeted within 36 months.
President Muizzu described the airport’s transformation as central to developing Fonadhoo into a regional hub for tourism, education, and commerce. Kadhdhoo, one of the Maldives’ oldest domestic airports, was previously earmarked for international expansion under a contract with Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC), later re-awarded to China’s CAMC Engineering before MACL assumed responsibility.
PAKISTAN
The Pakistan Airports Authority has invited consultancy bids for the planning and design of a new greenfield airport in Sukkur (Sindh, Pakistan), which will replace the city’s existing Begum Nusrat Bhutto International Airport. According to the authority’s Planning and Development Directorate, firms experienced in airport master planning, design, and feasibility studies are eligible to apply, with submissions due by 22 October 2025. Preference will be given to companies with prior airport development experience.
The new Sukkur Airport is part of a federal programme to expand Pakistan’s aviation network through the construction of new airports in Sukkur, Mirpur (Azad Kashmir, Pakistan), and Dera Ismail Khan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan). The project aims to accommodate rising passenger traffic, enable international operations, and strengthen regional connectivity across underserved areas.
LAOS
Luang Prabang International Airport is set for a major upgrade under a Public–Private Partnership (PPP) led by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport in cooperation with the International Finance Corporation. The project involves building a new international terminal, expanding the existing terminal for domestic operations, adding new aircraft parking bays, and upgrading access roads and facilities to meet international standards. The airport may also extend operating hours to 24 hours to accommodate growing tourism and strengthen regional air connectivity.
A pre-bid meeting held in Vientiane on 21 October 2025, chaired by Civil Aviation Director-General Khamla Phommavanh, brought together four shortlisted bidders: Yunnan Infrastructure Investment Co. (China), Limak (Turkey), China Road and Bridge Corporation, and Korea Airports Corporation (South Korea). These were selected from eight firms that submitted expressions of interest in June 2025.
Completion of the upgrade is targeted for January 2026, marking a significant step toward improving Laos’ aviation infrastructure and positioning Luang Prabang as a regional tourism and transport hub.
VIETNAM
Authorities in Ninh Binh are assessing three potential sites for the planned Ninh Binh International Airport, a major infrastructure project included in the national airport development plan for 2021–2030 with a long-term vision to 2050. Consultants have proposed locations in Liem Tuyen Ward, Binh Luc and Binh My Communes, and a third option spanning Binh Son, Tan Minh and Thanh Binh Communes. However, the provincial government has not yet confirmed a final site and has requested further analysis of additional alternatives, comparing transport access, long-term urban development potential, and proximity to the Hanoi Capital Region.
The proposed airport is planned to cover about 720 hectares and meet ICAO Code 4E standards, with two parallel runways. It would initially handle 10 million passengers annually, with land reserved for future expansion. The project is estimated to cost nearly VND 15 trillion (USD 587 million) and is seen as key to supporting economic growth in both Ninh Binh Province and the southern Red River Delta region.
THAILAND
Airports of Thailand (AOT) plans to begin construction in 2028 on Phase 2 of the Phuket International Airport expansion project (Phuket, Thailand), which was originally scheduled to start in 2027. The project will increase the airport’s capacity from the current 12.5 million passengers per year to 18 million, and enable 25 aircraft movements per hour.
Works include expanding the international terminal by 177,000 m², extending the runway and parallel taxiway, and modernising utilities and airside systems. The project is currently in the survey and design stage, with completion targeted for 2031.
Consultant & Contractors (CON)
St. Louis Lambert International Airport (Missouri, United States) has entered contract negotiations with the AECOM Hunt–Clayco Joint Venture to serve as construction manager at risk (CMAR) for its proposed USD 3 billion terminal modernisation programme. The agreement, expected to be finalised by the end of 2025, will allow the contractor to begin preconstruction work, including cost estimation, scheduling, and constructability reviews for the airport’s largest infrastructure project in decades.
The plan involves consolidating the airport’s two existing terminals into a single facility at the current Terminal 1 site, expanding gate capacity from 54 to 62. Airlines operating at St. Louis Lambert have already approved USD 1 billion in design and construction funding, with HOK appointed as lead architect. The full programme will proceed following a final vote of airline partners, anticipated in 2026.
Separately, the airport has awarded Wright Construction Services a USD 114 million contract to deliver a 285,000 m² Airfield Maintenance and Snow Removal Equipment Facility, marking the first phase of the West Airfield Programme. The facility will replace nine ageing buildings and centralise snow removal, vehicle maintenance, landscaping, and material storage operations.
Completion of the maintenance complex is scheduled for late 2027, after which Wright Construction is expected to move on to the second phase—the construction of a new West Deicing Pad on the existing site. Airport Executive Director Rhonda Hamm-Niebruegge said both contracts represent critical investments in the airport’s long-term infrastructure renewal and operational efficiency as passenger volumes are forecast to reach 21 million annually by 2040.
Panamá City Tocumen International Airport (Panama) has awarded a USD 56.9 million (PAB 56.9 million) contract to the PYCRAT Consortium, formed by Mota-Engil Engenharia e Construção and Constructora MECO, for the rehabilitation and maintenance of its two runways and taxiways. The project will span four years of construction followed by two years of maintenance to ensure operational safety and competitiveness at Panama’s main international gateway. Tocumen S.A. General Manager José Ruiz Blanco said the works are vital to maintaining infrastructure in optimal condition and strengthening the airport’s role as Latin America’s leading air hub.
The public tender involved two consortia, with PYCRAT securing 99.5 points, while competitor Eterc-Dogal was disqualified for not meeting mandatory requirements. The contract covers the study, design and rehabilitation of runways 03L–21R and 03R–21L, and adjacent taxiways, with all works conducted under Tocumen S.A.’s supervision.
A performance bond of USD 28.4 million (PAB 28.4 million) was lodged to guarantee compliance. The project will begin one day after the notice to proceed and is expected to create around 470 direct and 230 indirect jobs. Work will be carried out at night to avoid disruption to flight operations.
Tocumen International Airport currently handles over 450 daily flight movements and serves about 65,000 passengers per day, connecting 90 destinations across the Americas, Europe and the Caribbean through 30 passenger and cargo airlines.
PNC Infratech Limited, an Indian infrastructure development company, has been awarded a contract worth INR 2.97 billion (USD 35.6 million) by the Airports Authority of India for expansion works at Varanasi’s Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (Uttar Pradesh, India). The project covers the extension, strengthening and re-carpeting of the existing runway along with associated infrastructure improvements. Construction is scheduled for completion within 18 months.
PNC Infratech secured the contract as the lowest bidder in the tender process and has received the formal Letter of Acceptance from the Airports Authority of India. The company stated that the project will enhance Varanasi’s air connectivity and capacity, strengthening its position in India’s aviation infrastructure sector.
PNC Infratech confirmed that the contract is not a related-party transaction and that all necessary disclosures have been made to regulatory authorities.
Management, Ownership, and Finance (MGT)
NAMES
Edinburgh Airport (United Kingdom) has appointed Stephanie Wear as Chief Commercial Officer, succeeding Gail Taylor, who departs after 13 years. Wear joins from London Gatwick Airport, part of the VINCI Airports network, where she served as Vice President of Aviation Development since 2021. In her new role, Wear will oversee both aviation and non-aeronautical revenue streams following the recent reunification of Edinburgh’s Aviation and XAero divisions. She said she looked forward to “helping drive the next chapter of ambitious, innovative growth” at Scotland’s busiest airport. Chief Executive Gordon Dewar welcomed her appointment, noting her “wealth of international experience” and plans to strengthen the airport’s commercial and digital strategy as part of its long-term connectivity expansion.
Heathrow Airport (London, United Kingdom) is set to appoint Philip Jansen, former chief executive of BT Group, as its next chairman, succeeding Lord Deighton after nine years in the role. Jansen, who also chairs FTSE 100 company WPP, is in advanced discussions with Heathrow Airport Holdings and its shareholders. His regulatory experience in major infrastructure and utility sectors reportedly positioned him as the preferred candidate following a search led by Russell Reynolds Associates.
The appointment follows ownership changes in which France’s Ardian acquired 32.6% of Heathrow and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund also became a shareholder.
AGS Airports, which owns and operates Glasgow Airport (Scotland, United Kingdom), has appointed Gavin Williams as managing director – operations, effective 1 January 2026. Williams currently serves as managing director – operations at Southampton Airport and previously spent five years with Manchester Airports Group in senior operational roles at East Midlands, London Stansted and Manchester airports.
AGS Airports CEO Ronald Leitch said Williams will oversee operations during Glasgow Airport’s upcoming terminal transformation and expansion programme, described as the largest capital investment in the airport’s history.
Lauren Turner has been appointed operations director at East Midlands Airport (United Kingdom), more than ten years after beginning her career there as a security officer. As operations director, Turner will oversee airfield operations, fire service, command and control, business resilience, and air traffic control, managing a team of 189 staff. East Midlands Airport noted that she aims to strengthen air traffic control operations, which have faced ongoing post-pandemic challenges, while a new head of air traffic control will take up the role in the New Year.
Her promotion follows the appointment of a new commercial director tasked with advancing the airport’s cargo growth strategy and expanding its passenger route network, including the addition of a major European hub connection.
Turner has held several operational positions since joining the airport, including airfield security, control room, airfield operations supervisor, and airport duty manager. As head of airfield operations, she led a project to increase stand capacity across all three aprons in preparation for long-term expansion.
She said she looks forward to working with the new commercial director and head of air traffic control, adding that significant investment in new technology is planned over the next five years. Managing director Steve Griffiths described her as a capable and valued member of the team, whose experience and commitment will support the airport’s future development and compliance with UK aviation regulations.
Fabian Marcq has been appointed chairman of the board of Liege Airport (Wallonia, Belgium) following the airport’s general assembly held on 6 October 2025, where new board members were also elected for a five-year term. Marcq has served on the board of Liege Airport for 23 years and was vice-chairman between 2014 and 2018. He has worked for over 25 years at Noshaq, formerly Meusinvest, a regional investment group based in Liège, where he is currently chief operating officer. His experience includes financing, growth and restructuring of industrial companies, with a strong focus on logistics and the aviation sector.
He also previously sat on the board of Sowaer, the Walloon airport investment company, contributing to several regional airport development projects. Marcq holds degrees in economic sciences from the University of Liège and in business and financial sciences from HEC Liège.
Expressing appreciation for the confidence placed in him, Marcq said he aims to support the airport’s sustainable development and enhance its international profile. The board also welcomed new members Elisabeth Guillaume, Christine Collignon, Benoît Pitance, Nicolas Dumazy and Stéphanie Fellen.
Dr Christopher Schwieger has been appointed chairman of the supervisory board of Hamburg Airport (Hamburg, Germany), succeeding Andreas Rieckhof, who retired on 30 September 2025. Schwieger, who became State Councillor at Hamburg’s Ministry of Economy, Labour and Innovation on 1 October 2025, had previously headed the ministry’s Economic Affairs Office and overseen the aviation portfolio since 2020. He also now serves as the Senate’s industry coordinator.
Rieckhof had served on the airport’s supervisory board since 2015 and became chairman in September 2022. His tenure covered major transition years marked by the Covid-19 pandemic, the relaunch of air services and the development of the airport’s CO₂-neutrality programme. He also oversaw the launch of the HAM Upgrade service initiative to enhance passenger comfort.
Hamburg’s Senator for Economy, Dr Melanie Leonhard, thanked Rieckhof for his contribution and expressed confidence that Schwieger’s experience in economic and aviation affairs will continue to guide the airport’s strategic development. The City of Hamburg remains the majority shareholder of the airport.
Ancona International Airport (Italy), owned by the investment firm Njord Partners, has appointed Giorgio Buffa as Chief Executive Officer. Buffa joins from Hamad International Airport (Doha, Qatar), where he served as Senior Operations Manager for nine years. He brings over two decades of aviation experience, including previous leadership roles in airport operations at Trapani Airport and a background as a pilot with Alitalia and Air One. During his tenure in Doha, he oversaw critical operational activities through the COVID-19 period and major international events such as the FIFA World Cup.
He succeeds Alex D’Orsogna, recently appointed General Director of ENAC, Italy’s Civil Aviation Authority. Under D’Orsogna’s leadership, Ancona Airport achieved record growth in both passenger and cargo traffic and initiated major infrastructure and intermodal development projects.
Buffa stated that his focus will be on strengthening Ancona’s position as an integrated transport hub for the Marche region, ensuring sustainable growth across passenger and freight operations.
Igor Ivliev has been appointed chief executive of Krasnoyarsk International Airport named after Dmitri Hvorostovsky (Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia), effective 23 October 2025. The appointment was approved by the board of directors of LLC Airport Yemelyanovo, the airport’s operating company, where Ivliev previously served as first deputy general director.
Ivliev has held senior management roles in airlines, cargo terminals, and airports in Russia and abroad. His mandate includes improving operational efficiency, introducing new technologies, modernising infrastructure, enhancing service quality, and developing Aeroflot Group’s regional hub at Krasnoyarsk.
Pavel Korchashkin will remain chief executive of ERA Group, the parent company overseeing Airport Yemelyanovo, ERA Terminal, and ERA Cargo.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (Georgia, United States) has announced five senior leadership appointments as part of its organisational realignment aimed at strengthening operations and business development. Diana Léon Brown becomes Deputy General Manager for Marketing and Air Service Development, overseeing communications, international affairs, and route growth. Leticia Caviness has been named Assistant General Manager for Business Engagement to expand small business participation across the airport’s supply chain.
Krystel T. Davis takes the role of Deputy General Manager for Administration and People Strategy, managing workforce development and employee services, while Augustus “Gus” Hudson is promoted to Deputy General Manager for Airport Operations, drawing on nearly 30 years in aviation security and emergency management.
In addition, Tyronia Smith becomes Deputy General Manager for Revenue Development and Management, responsible for concessions, parking, rental cars, and airline affairs, while Audria Borders-King joins as Special Assistant to the General Manager to support strategic planning and process improvement.
Rick King has announced his retirement as Chair of the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC), which oversees Minneapolis–St Paul International Airport (Minnesota, United States) and six general aviation airports in the Twin Cities region. Vice Chair Patti Gartland will assume interim leadership on 21 November until a new chair is appointed by the governor.
King, who joined the MAC in 2007 and became chair in 2019 under Governor Tim Walz, was credited with guiding the organisation through the pandemic recovery and major infrastructure upgrades, including completion of the USD 600 million Terminal 1 Operational Improvements Programme.
During his tenure, Minneapolis–St Paul International Airport earned multiple best mega airport awards from J.D. Power and Airports Council International and approved record capital investment in 2024. The airport handled 37.2 million passengers in 2024 and serves as Delta Air Lines’ second-largest hub and Sun Country Airlines’ home base.
Kimberly J. Becker, President and Chief Executive Officer of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority (California, United States), has announced her retirement after a 40-year career in aviation. She will remain with the organisation until 18 March 2026 to ensure a smooth leadership transition.
Becker, who joined the Airport Authority in 2017, has overseen significant expansion and modernisation at San Diego International Airport (California, United States), including the USD 3.8 billion New Terminal 1 programme to replace the 1967 terminal with a larger, more efficient facility.
Becker previously held senior positions at Mineta San José International Airport (California, United States), Hollywood Burbank Airport (California, United States), and Teterboro Airport (New Jersey, United States). The Airport Authority Board, chaired by Gil Cabrera, has begun a global search for her successor.
El Mokhtar Dahraoui has been appointed Director of Rabat–Salé Airport (Rabat, Morocco), the Office National des Aéroports (ONDA) announced, as part of its national airport modernisation strategy. ONDA said the appointment supports both the capital’s urban transformation and Morocco’s wider connectivity goals under the Aéroports 2030 strategy, which aims to enhance operational performance, sustainability, and territorial integration across the national airport network.
An aeronautical engineer with over 20 years at ONDA, Dahraoui previously headed the airports of Dakhla, Al Hoceima, and Agadir, where he oversaw major development projects. His experience reflects strong technical and organisational expertise aligned with ONDA’s long-term objectives for a modern and high-performing airport system.
Bahrain International Airport (Muharraq, Bahrain) has announced the appointment of Mohamed AlKhenaizi as Chief Commercial Officer of Bahrain Airport Company, effective 2 November 2025. Bahrain Airport Company, the operator and managing body of the airport, said AlKhenaizi joins with over 16 years of experience at Dubai International Airport (Dubai, United Arab Emirates), where he led commercial strategy and partnership development initiatives.
Chairman Khalid Hussain Taqi stated that AlKhenaizi’s appointment will reinforce Bahrain’s ambitions to strengthen its aviation sector and expand sustainable growth under the Gulf Air Group’s localisation and transformation strategy.
In his new role, AlKhenaizi will oversee Bahrain Airport Company’s commercial operations, with responsibility for revenue diversification, innovation, and strategic partnerships aimed at enhancing the airport’s global competitiveness.
The company also expressed appreciation to outgoing Chief Commercial Officer Ayman Zainal for his leadership in establishing a strong commercial foundation for future growth.
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has appointed Yogesh Nagaich as director of Swami Vivekananda Airport (Chhattisgarh, India), effective 25 October 2025. Nagaich previously served as director of Udaipur Dabok Airport (Rajasthan, India). Swami Vivekananda Airport, located in Raipur, is the primary airport serving central India’s Chhattisgarh state. It handles over 2.5 million passengers annually and offers domestic services to major Indian cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Kolkata. The airport features a 2,286-metre runway and a modern integrated terminal inaugurated in 2012.
Get full access to MAI
The above articles are just a small sample of the newsletter content published in a customizable package of topical modules twice a month. Also included with every subscription: exclusive data reports about worldwide airport projects, capacities, and ownership, which are updated throughout the year.
Please click the button below to take advantage of a free, 2-month trial. Please type "trial" in the user instructions window.