• Swindon & Wiltshire Appointments
• Friday April 17 2026

Bristol Airport CEO to step down

The chief executive of Bristol Airport has announced that he will step down after eight years in the role.

Dave Lees will remain with the business until a successor has been appointed, supporting a transition process through to the end of 2026.

Announcement of his departure comes just weeks after the airport submitted a planning application to increase its capacity from 12 million passengers a year to 15 million by 2040, with new buildings and an extended runway.

The plans, set to be considered by North Somerset Council, would increase its total number of flights to 100,000 a year, include an additional 1,000 night flights and introduce longer-haul services to North America and the Middle East.

The airport said that the CEO had “led a highly successful period for the airport,  culminating in the recent acquisition of a majority stake by Macquarie Asset Management – a leading owner of, and investor in, airports for more than 20 years.

“Under Dave’s leadership, Bristol Airport has seen an unprecedented growth in passenger numbers and the successful delivery of numerous major transformational projects, including the Public Transport Interchange as well as the positive outcome of the planning application for 12 million passengers per annum,” it said.

“More recently, he has led on the next stage of growth outlined in the Bristol Airport Masterplan to 2040 as well as launching the planning application to increase passenger numbers to 15 million a year. He also steered the airport through the very difficult days of the Covid pandemic and then drove the swiftest post-pandemic recovery of any major airport in the United Kingdom.

Dave commented: “It has been the highlight of my career to lead an amazing, talented and committed team which continues to deliver responsible growth connecting our region to an increasing number of destinations.

“Together we have delivered significant improvements for our customers, airlines and the community which we are proud to serve including our industry-leading position on our pathway to deliver net zero Airport operations by 2030.”

Jason Holt, chairman of Bristol Airport, said: “Dave has taken the airport to where it is today through inspired leadership that now sets up the business to build on his work.

“As Dave passes the baton to his successor, his tenure has safeguarded future growth and prosperity for the airport and its positive impact on the region.

“This is especially so with potential future growth delivering upwards of 1,000 new jobs with increasing long-haul connectivity to global markets.”