Neil Pakey, the former managing director of Liverpool's John Lennon Airport, has been appointed the new chief executive of the Shannon Airport Authority.
The 52 year-old Scot will take up the Shannon Airport position next month for a three year term.
In his capacity as managing director of John Lennon Airport from 2002 to 2010, Mr Pakey led several key transformational projects, including the airport’s rebranding, attracting new airlines and routes and the new terminal build. These initiatives helped grow passenger numbers from less than 1 million passengers a year to more than 5.5 million passengers a year.
Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar welcomed the appointment saying the Government set Shannon on a new strategic direction by granting it full independence from the Dublin Airport Authority almost six months ago.
“Mr Pakey will lead Shannon Airport as it sets out on its own path to secure financial and commercial success, now free to determine its own future.”
Shannon was separated from the Dublin Airport Authority on December 31st 2012, and is due to merge in July with the landbank of Shannon Development to form a new State-owned agency charged with developing an aviation hub that can drive commerce and tourism in the midwest.