Manchester Airport appoints new managing director amid travel chaos

Chris Woodroofe takes over from Karen Smart, who stepped down in April, after weeks of travel chaos.

Incensed passengers have missed flights, waited hours to claim luggage and faced long queues.

The airport has apologised to customers for the disruption caused by staff shortages.

Passengers have faced months of queues and disruption

Mr Woodroofe was previously chief operating officer at London Gatwick Airport from 2016 to 2020.

He oversaw a step-change in passenger experience and a major programme of operational improvements.

Prior to that, Chris held a number of senior roles at Gatwick, including in customer service, security and engineering. He joins from Chevron Traffic Management, where he had overall responsibility for operational performance and driving growth.

Chris, originally from Widnes, starts his new job on June 15.

Ian Costigan,who has been interim managing director since April, will continue to who will continue to oversee the airport’s operational functions.

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.”

Ken O’Toole, deputy chief executive of Manchester Airport Group, 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.”