Joost Meijs has been appointed as chief executive of growing cargo hub Maastricht Aachen Airport (MST) and will begin the role on October 1.
He succeeds interim chief executive Jonas van Stekelenburg and takes on the role 0f director of NV HBLM, which includes the operating companies Maastricht Aachen Airport BV and Maastricht Aachen Airport Management & Infra.
Meijs has extensive leadership experience in the aviation industry and is chief executive of Aruba Airport. Before that he was the chief executive of Eindhoven Airport.
Under Meijs' leadership from 2008 until 2019, Eindhoven Airport developed into a mature airport in the Dutch market. Meijs also laid the foundations for sustainable development at the airport.
As chief executive of Queen Beatrix International Airport in Aruba since 2019, Meijs has navigated the airport through the pandemic and successfully implemented a new corporate strategy with his team that aimed to improve the safety and sustainability of the airport. The first phase of the airport's $300m Gateway 2030 investment programme was recently delivered.
Meijs also played a key role in establishing the Dutch Caribbean Cooperation of Airports (DCCA), which aims to improve the safety, connectivity, and sustainability of airports in the region.
This initiative resulted in the launch of the first electric plane in the Caribbean airspace from Aruba Airport in 2022.
“Joost Meijs, brings great experience and we are confident that he will build on the airport’s reputation as a high-performing and innovative airport,” said Frans Weekers, chairman of the supervisory board of NV HBLM.
“Joost has a first-class track record of airport management, having previously worked at Eindhoven Airport, and Aruba Airport where he played a pivotal role in implementing long-term growth strategies.
“We welcome Joost and look forward to him continuing Jonas van Stekelenburg’s good work in ensuring Maastricht Aachen Airport’s future direction and sustainable credentials.”
Meijs’ appointment comes after a successful start of the year for the airport, including the addition of new cargo airlines like Pegasus Airlines and ROM Cargo, Airport Carbon Accreditation level 3, and facilitating Europe’s first ever international electric flight for members of the public.
“I am looking forward to start working on the ambitions as have been formulated in the strategic plans and doing this in a joint effort with all colleagues and the external stakeholders of the airport,” said Meijs.
“Maastricht Aachen Airport has the potential to become a healthy, future oriented and sustainable airport. I have every confidence that it will work.”
Following the end of van Stekelenburg's time as interim chief executive, a role he has carried out since September last year, he will remain involved as an advisor at Maastricht Aachen Airport until the start of 2025.
https://www.aircargonews.net/cargo-airport/malaysia-airlines-adds-maastricht-aachen-airport-to-network/
