The boss of Southampton airport is switching to head Bristol airport this summer.
Dave Lees has been appointed as CEO of the west country airport following an “extensive search and selection process”.
He will move from his current role as managing director of Southampton airport and join Bristol on August 1.
Lees’ appointment follows the departure of Robert Sinclair last October. Bristol airport chairman Janis Kong has been operating as interim chief executive, a role she will continue in until August.
Kong said: “I look forward to welcoming Dave to Bristol Airport. He brings with him a track record of success and wide-ranging experience at major UK airports.
“Dave joins at an exciting time as we look to the future as part of the process of preparing a new master plan. He joins a successful team which has consistently delivered results for passengers, airline customers and shareholders.”
Lees said: “This is an exciting opportunity, and I am looking forward to working with the team at Bristol to build on the airport’s success and ambitions for the future.”
The UK’s ninth busiest airport and the fifth largest outside London, Bristol saw passenger numbers grow by more than 8% to 8.1 million in 2017.
A recent consultation began the process of developing a new Master Plan setting out how the airport could serve around 20 million passengers a year by the mid-2040s.
Lees has been managing director of Southampton airport for seven years.
A statement from the south coast airport said: “The company would also like to take this opportunity to thank Dave for his valued contribution and confirm that he will be assisting in a smooth transition to new leadership over the summer.”