Cardiff Airport's chief executive quits

A Welsh government-owned airport is looking for a new boss after its chief executive quit.

Spencer Birns has left the role at Cardiff Airport to "pursue other opportunities".

Mr Birns had been the airport's CEO for four years and had spent a total of over 18 years in various roles at the company.

The Welsh government, which bought the airport in 2013 for £52m and has spent £181m on it in total, said it was aware the chief executive had left his position.

Mr Birns will be replaced on an interim basis by Andy Jones, a non-executive director at Cardiff Airport who was previously chief executive of the Port of Milford Haven.

Once the airport's chief commercial officer, Spencer Birns became CEO in August 2020 and steered the Welsh government-owned site through much of the Covid 19 pandemic.

He said the airport had been "wiped out" by the crisis, which saw annual passenger numbers plummet from 1.6 million to zero.

The airport's slow recovery has seen airlines come and go, though passenger numbers in 2024 increased 5% on the previous year.

Mr Birns had diversified the business, introducing its first cargo service since 2010 as he explored new ways of increasing revenue.

Airport chairman Wayne Harvey confirmed that Mr Birns left his role this week.

Mr Harvey said the chief executive had "resigned after eighteen years, he is pursuing other opportunities".

Mr Harvey said the board had appointed Andy Jones on an interim basis.

A Welsh government spokesperson said: "We are aware that Spencer Birns has left his position at Cardiff Airport and welcome Andy Jones in his new capacity as interim CEO ahead of a busy period for Cardiff Airport and its employees."

The spokesperson added that personnel matters were operational issues for the airport and its holding company and not the Welsh government.