AAA board welcomes first all-female leadership team

The Australian Airports Association (AAA) Board has announced the appointment of a new leadership team for 2022.

Adelaide Airport Executive General Manager Planning and Infrastructure, Kym Meys, has been appointed as Chair and will be supported by Perth Airport Operations Standards Manager, Jenny Kox, as Deputy Chair.

The AAA’s first all-female Board leadership team brings a wealth of aviation and airports knowledge as the sector enters a challenging post-COVID-19 recovery phase.

Meys has more than 18 years’ experience across Australian airports having held a wide range of senior airport planning, strategy and project delivery roles. She said: “The past two years have been an incredibly challenging time for airports, and I look forward to working with the board to ensure airport members have the tools they need to begin the long journey of recovery.”

“It is more important than ever that we prioritise connecting and engaging with members to ensure they are being represented during this phase of recovery, whether they are from the small landing strips and remote aerodromes or our larger regional airports and major gateways,” added Meys.

“Airports are excited by the opportunities of reopening borders and it is a reminder that during the pandemic, airports continued working to ensure essential freight and repatriation flights could continue.

“The leadership shown by airports and the dedication of the workforce during the pandemic to make the passenger journey as smooth as possible has made me proud to be part of the vital sector”.

Deputy Chair Jenny Kox, has more than 17 years’ experience in airport management across all sizes of airport and is now overseeing Perth Airport’s Service Standard reporting to airlines, as well as airfield and terminals documentation, business continuity, and process improvements.

Kox commented now that borders are re-opening and passenger numbers are beginning to rise, safety standards will be an important priority for airports.

“Australia’s aerodromes have some of the best safety standards in the world and we will work with members to continue to ensure they are supported through a time of technical and operational change,” added Kox.

The AAA Board also welcomes Port Lincoln Airport Operations Manager, Peter O’Reilly, who has been appointed as the South Australian Division Chair.

Outgoing Chair Tom Ganley has stepped down after two years as AAA Chair and seven years as a member of the AAA Board. Ganley continues to support the AAA’s governance in the position of Immediate Past Chair.