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Shane O’Hare, chief executive of Launceston Airport, is leaving to take a job across the ditch.
O’Hare, who has headed Launceston Airport since 2021, will become the new CEO of Queenstown Airport in September following the departure of its current CEO, Glen Sowry, who announced his resignation in October last year.
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“Since joining Launceston Airport in June 2021, Shane has helped drive the airport’s recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, grow its domestic network and instigated a major capital works program to improve the passenger experience,” Launceston Airport said in a statement.
“Shane will continue as CEO of Launceston Airport for the coming months while a search is undertaken for a replacement and will remain on the board of Tourism Tasmania. Shane will depart with the best wishes of all at the Australia Pacific Airports Corporation.”
Sowry will leave his post in June, with chief operating officer Todd Grace to fill in as interim CEO until O’Hare’s commencement.
Simon Flood, chair of Queenstown Airport, said O’Hare “brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record in the aviation and tourism industries, and is a people-focused leader”.
“Queenstown Airport’s vision is to be an airport that people love to travel through, and the community takes pride in. We are undertaking the most significant capital delivery programme in the airport’s 90-year history.
“Shane has been responsible for multi-million-dollar budgets and large-scale infrastructure projects, and has demonstrated a strong commitment to authentic community engagement.
“He comes to Queenstown Airport with a reputation for leadership and delivery in complex stakeholder environments. The board and I are looking forward to working with Shane as he leads the organisation through its next phase.”
O’Hare, who has family connections in New Zealand’s Southern Lakes region, said he looked forward to taking up the position.
“The Southern Lakes region is one of the most spectacular in the world. Queenstown Airport is a critical social and economic infrastructure asset for the region, and the country,” he said.
“The airport is entering an exciting phase, and I am very pleased to be joining the team, and I look forward to working with the board, executive, and wider team to deliver for shareholders and the community.”
Launceston and Queenstown Airports are engaged in significant capital works programs, including terminal developments.
