News of the departure of Andy Cliffe as chief executive of Glasgow Airport’s owner was something of an eyebrow-raiser when it came this week.

It was not a total shock, only for the reason that Glasgow Airport parent AGS Airports now has a new owner following Tuesday’s completion of its acquisition by AviAlliance, the wholly owned airports platform of one of Canada’s largest pension investors.

However, news of Mr Cliffe’s departure did come somewhat out of the blue.

His exit contrasts with the story at Edinburgh Airport, which recently underwent a change of ownership and still has long-time chief executive Gordon Dewar in the cockpit.

Seasoned French operator VINCI last year acquired a majority stake in Edinburgh Airport, which is Scotland’s busiest and, excluding the coronavirus pandemic, has enjoyed a long period of rapid growth in passenger numbers.

Global Infrastructure Partners, which had taken over Edinburgh Airport in 2012, is managing the remaining 49.99% interest in the asset following its sale of a 50.01% stake to Belfast International and London Gatwick airports owner VINCI for around £1.27 billion.

When that deal was announced in April 2024, ahead of its completion last June, Mr Dewar emphasised that the “leadership team remains in place”.

AviAlliance, a wholly owned subsidiary of PSP Investments which has stakes in Athens, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, and San Juan (Puerto Rico) airports, revealed as it completed its acquisition of Glasgow, Aberdeen and Southampton airports owner AGS this week that Mr Cliffe was departing as chief executive “by mutual consent”.

It has bought AGS Airports for an enterprise value of £1.53 billion from Ferrovial of Spain and Australian group Macquarie.

AviAlliance has announced the appointment of Kam Jandu to succeed Mr Cliffe.

Mr Jandu, who has most recently run Budapest Airport, was this week appointed as chief executive of AGS Airports “with immediate effect”.........

© Herald Scotland