Heathrow Airport has named the current Copenhagen Airport boss, Thomas Woldbye, as chief executive John Holland-Kaye’s replacement when he steps down.
Woldbye spent 12 years as the boss of the Danish airport, and brings with him a “wealth of experience and a proven track record as a CEO of a major airport,” Heathrow said in a statement.
Heathrow added that Woldbye forged strong links with the Danish Government, who are part owners of Copenhagen Airport and fostered partnerships with airlines to drive investment and development, including significant recent expansions in terminal capacity at the airport.
Prior to joining Copenhagen Airport in 2011, he spent 27 years at Møller-Mærsk, a global shipping and ferry company.
“I have personally experienced how the excellent team at Heathrow has successfully improved both the infrastructure and the service to passengers over the past years to create a strong platform for further success,” said Woldbye.
“Heathrow is an important engine for the British economy and inextricably linked to the success of London and the wider UK,” he added.
John Strickland, director at airline consultant JLS Consulting, notes he brings a great deal of experience in “dealing with low-cost carriers” such as Ryanair.
“These relationships are challenging in terms of cost negotiations & could be valuable at Heathrow which faces difficult relationships with its airline customers on the same topic,” Strickland said.