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Port Hedland International Airport (PHIA) has appointed a 2024 Australian Aviation Awards finalist as its new CEO.
Hayley Vale, PHIA’s current head of airport and a finalist in the Female Aviation Leader of the Year – Small Business category, will take over from outgoing CEO Dave Batic on 1 January 2025.
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“Hayley is a fantastic example of succession planning in action and the focus on professional development within the PHIA having developed her skills through a variety of roles including heliport manager, manager corporate services and now head of airport,” airport chair Cheryl Edwardes AM said.
“She has a deep understanding of our operations and is a natural leader.”
In a press release, Vale said she is looking forward to taking over as CEO and thanked Batic for his leadership.
“I am excited and honoured to be taking on the chief executive officer role from the start of next year and continue to drive the growth that is taking place at PHIA both from an aviation and commercial development perspective,” Vale said.
“It is a transformational and innovative time for the PHIA which plays such a critical role supporting and connecting the Port Hedland community, enabling industry, and supporting economic growth in the Pilbara and Western Australia.
“Under Dave’s leadership we have seen passenger records broken, the terminal upgrade up and running, work begin on a 1.22-megawatt solar farm, awarded Level 2 airport carbon reduction accreditation and the PHIA being named Regional Airport of the Year in 2023 and a finalist for Airport of the Year in 2024.”
Port Hedland Airport last August completed a major terminal redevelopment project, to which Vale contributed, winning the Australian Airports Association’s National Emerging Airport Leader Award last year in recognition.
Batic will continue to lead the airport as Vale transitions into the role over the next few months.
