The country's biggest airport operator, Auckland International Airport, today announced it has appointed Don Huse to succeed current chief executive John Goulter.
Mr Huse, who has a strong background in airport management, is expected to take up his new role in July.
He has been chief financial officer for Sydney Airports Corp
since 1998. Before that, the 56-year-old was chief executive of Wellington Airport for seven years.
Auckland Airport chairman Wayne Boyd said Mr Huse's Sydney experience gave him a good foundation to take the reins at Auckland.
Sydney Airport, Australia's busiest, handles some 24 million passengers annually, compared with Auckland's nine million passengers.
Mr Huse, a chartered accountant, has had an extensive career in financial and general management including 11 years with the Cable Price Downer Group in Wellington, and was a director of listed public company, Trans Alta from 1996 to 1999.
Mr Boyd said Mr Huse's airport management skills would provide stability and continuity, "and the fact that we are bringing a talented New Zealander back home will be welcomed".
"Don has an excellent mix of relevant experience, leadership and cultural affinity that will be critical for us.
"Importantly, he also has a strong appreciation of the role our company plays in the New Zealand tourism and business sectors."
Shares in Auckland Airport last traded down 3c at $4.88 -- adding to yesterday's 14c fall. The airport has been hit by fears the deadly severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) will impact on visitor numbers to New Zealand.
- NZPA
