The Queenstown Airport board of directors has announced the appointment of Shane O’Hare as the airport’s new CEO.
The board said Mr O’Hare (pictured) is a highly experienced global tourism and aviation sector executive with a career spanning 40 years.
He has held a range of senior executive positions in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, the USA, and Middle East, including appointments at Melbourne Airport, Qantas Airways, Etihad Airways, Royal Jet Group, and Star Alliance. He also founded a regional airline, Seair Pacific Airlines, an award-winning tourism operation in Queensland, Australia.
At Launceston Airport, Tasmania, where Mr O’Hare is currently the CEO and a board director, he has led the airport through the recovery from the global pandemic and overseen key infrastructure delivery and customer experience projects, as well as record passenger numbers and network expansion. He also implemented a strategy to enhance non-aeronautical revenue.
“The board is very pleased to have appointed such a well-qualified business leader after a robust recruitment process. The calibre of applicants from New Zealand and overseas was extremely high. Shane brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record in the aviation and tourism industries, and is a people-focused leader,” said QAC Chair, Simon Flood.
“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,” he said.
Mr O’Hare has family connections in the Southern Lakes and says he is looking forward to moving to Queenstown and starting the role in mid-September.
“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,” said Mr O’Hare.
“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.”
Mr O’Hare has also served on the boards of Tourism Tasmania and Visit Northern Tasmania, is a fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and holds an MBA from Bond University.
Queenstown Airport CEO Glen Sowry announced his resignation in October last year and will be leaving Queenstown Airport in June. The board of directors has appointed Todd Grace, Chief Operating Officer as Interim CEO for the period between June and September.
Queenstown Lakes District Mayor, Glyn Lewers congratulated Mr O’Hare on his appointment.
“On behalf of QLDC, Queenstown Airport Corporation majority shareholder, I congratulate and extend a warm welcome to Shane on his appointment,” said Mayor Lewers.
“Our district has a long tradition of attracting the best talent from around the world, and it’s great to see that continuing. I’m confident Shane’s experience and achievements in travel and aviation around the world will help take Queenstown Airport to new heights as one of our most significant community assets and economic drivers.”
