A new managing director has been appointed at Manchester Airport. Chris Woodroofe will take over the top job next week following the departure of Karen Smart, who quit in April following a backlash over long passenger queues, staff shortages and calls from city leaders for management to 'get a grip' of the crisis
His first task will be to tackle the major problems that have plagued the airport since Covid travel restrictions were eased. As the Manchester Evening News has reported passengers have faced long queues at check-in and security, while there's also been lengthy delays in baggage collection.
Last week a chaotic half-term saw holiday cancellations, mammoth flight delays and missing luggage. Reports over the Jubilee weekend included queues which extended into car parks, missing baggage spotted from 1,300 miles away, police rescues after flights failed to take off and even food shortages for those passengers actually able to board their flights.
Mr Woodroofe, who is originally from Widnes in Cheshire, was chief operating officer at London Gatwick Airport from 2016 to 2020. His most recent role was at Chevron Traffic Management, where he had overall responsibility for operational performance and driving growth.
He will start on June 15 and will be supported by Ian Costigan, who will continue to oversee the airport's operational functions, having been interim managing director since April.
Mr Woodroofe said: "I'm delighted to be joining Manchester Airport as its new managing director, and look forward to working with the team to lead its recovery and drive the airport forward as the north's global gateway. With the airport's new Terminal 2 facilities and huge opportunities to attract new routes that enhance the north's international connectivity, this really is an exciting time to be joining Manchester Airport.
"Having taken my first ever flight from Manchester Airport as a child, I am looking forward to relocating back to the region and can't wait to get started.”
Manchester Airport Group's Deputy Chief Executive Ken O'Toole said: "It is great to have someone with Chris's aviation experience joining us as MD of Manchester Airport. We want customer service to be at the heart of everything we do, and with Chris leading the recovery, we've got the right team in place to deliver on that commitment."
