QAC Chief Executive announces resignation

07 Apr 2021

The board of directors of Queenstown Airport Corporation (QAC) announces the resignation of Chief Executive, Colin Keel after leading the business and serving the Southern Lakes community for five years.

Mr Keel will continue in his role until the end of the current financial year to complete the stabilisation of the business and position it for recovery following what has been the most challenging period in the company’s history due to the impacts of COVID-19.  He will then relocate to Auckland to pursue other opportunities.

QAC Chair, Adrienne Young-Cooper, has recognised Mr Keel’s significant contribution to the business and its shareholders over many years, through both a time of exponential regional growth and more recently the difficult COVID-19 period.  “Colin has demonstrated the agility and courage required of a leader in two very different and extreme operating environments. He has been unfailing in his commitment to the success of QAC, and the broader airport community as well as the place of Queenstown and Wanaka airports in the region,” said Ms Young-Cooper.

Mr Keel said: “It has been a privilege leading the business over such a period of change. The QAC team and all those who work at the airports are hard-working, dedicated members of the community and committed to its wellbeing.  Despite the current challenges, the future is full of tremendous opportunities for the business, airports and region.”

The board of directors will now begin a formal search process to select Mr Keel’s successor.