A WIDNES man has been appointed the new managing director of Manchester Airport.

Chris Woodroofe, who is originally from Widnes, joins from Chevron Traffic Management, where he had overall responsibility for operational performance and driving growth.

The move comes following months of delays caused by staff shortages.

Chris will start in his new role on Wednesday, June 15 and will be supported by Ian Costigan who will continue to oversee the airport’s operational functions, having been interim managing director since April.

“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,” said Chris Woodroofe.

“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.”

Deputy chief executive of Manchester Airports Group, Ken O’Toole, 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.”

Chris was previously chief operating officer at London Gatwick Airport from 2016 to 2020, where 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.