AUSTRALIA. Gert-Jan De Graaff, current President and CEO of John F. Kennedy International Airport Terminal 4 operator JFKIAT, is set to join Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director in June.
De Graaff, a former Brisbane Airport senior executive, will take over from Julieanne Alroe who will retire at the end of the financial year.
The appointment follows an extensive international search to identify the right candidate to lead Brisbane Airport through “what is expected to be an historic growth phase”, said BAC Chairman David Peever.
“Brisbane Airport is currently Australia’s third-busiest airport by passenger numbers and aircraft movements and will, with the completion of its new parallel runway in 2020, be the best-positioned airport in the country for domestic and international growth,” said Peever.
“The Board’s focus is on ensuring that the company’s success continues to be derived from an airport that serves the needs of the travelling public, the aspirations of its commercial partners, and the interests of the community as a whole.
“Gert-Jan shares these values and we are confident that this, combined with his extensive international experience, will enable BAC to deliver on its considerable potential as a catalyst for economic growth for the city, region and nation.”
Peever added that Alroe, who has held her role since 2009, is leaving the airport well-positioned for the future. “Her time as Chief Executive and Managing Director of BAC has seen the airport transformed and recognised as one of the best in its class in the world. For that we are all extremely grateful.”
“The airport’s potential is exceptional, particularly in international markets, and I look forward to doing what I can to ensure that potential is realised.” – Gert-Jan De Graaff
De Graaff previously held senior executive roles at BAC, including General Manager Commercial Services and General Manager Strategic Planning and Development between 2007 and 2012. He commented: “The opportunity to lead Brisbane Airport at such a critical and exciting time was too good to ignore.
“The airport’s potential is exceptional, particularly in international markets, and I look forward to doing what I can to ensure that potential is realised.
“Returning to Brisbane, a place I came to love in my five years there, is also very exciting. The city, indeed the whole of Queensland, offers so much and I look forward to helping the airport play its vital role in the growth of business, trade and tourism,” he added.
De Graaff has held the role of President and Chief Executive of JFKIAT since 2014.
Before that, he held senior roles at Stockholm Arlanda Airport in Sweden and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in The Netherlands.
