Coffs Harbour Airport to be managed locally
Coffs Harbour Airport Pty Ltd (CHAPL) entered into a 50-year lease with a 49-year option of Coffs Harbour Airport from the City of Coffs Harbour (Council) in 2021. Since that date, Sunshine Coast Airport Pty Ltd has facilitated the establishment of the new business entity and supported the local operations team under a management services agreement. With the business now on a firm footing, CHAPL will assume full responsibility for management of the Airport and Enterprise Park and will establish a locally based management team.
The chairman of the CHAPL board of directors, Dennis Chant, acknowledged the importance of the relationship between the two airport companies in developing an effective and sustainable business operation for the airport following its transfer from Council.
“The common shareholding between Coffs Harbour and Sunshine Coast Airports was instrumental in providing well established expertise and support to the new CHAPL team in the formative stages of our business,” said Mr Chant.
“We are confident that now is the right time to hand full responsibility for this important community asset to a locally based management team.”
Mr. Chant also paid tribute to the contribution of the inaugural general manager of CHAPL, Mr Frank Mondello, who retires at the end of this year.
“In conjunction with the Sunshine Coast team, Frank Mondello was instrumental developing a highly effective and motivated team following the transfer of the airport from Council,” he said.
“Frank’s long career and experience in the aviation industry were instrumental in his developing a new team very focussed on the airport’s safety, security and reliability. He has also been responsible for establishing strong links between the airport and the Coffs Harbour community.”
From 1 July 2025 CHAPL will operate fully under local management. To lead the expanded CHAPL organisation its board has conducted a nationwide search for a suitably experienced and qualified CEO. It has appointed Mr Craig Shaw, currently the CEO of Broome International Airport, to fill this position. Mr Shaw will commence in the role in early November.
In announcing this appointment, Mr Chant expressed the CHAPL board’s satisfaction in attracting such a well-qualified candidate to the position.
“Craig’s qualifications and seventeen years of experience in the management of regional airports and associated aviation support services will ensure that Coffs Harbour Airport is well positioned to achieve its full potential as a key component of Coffs Harbour’s economic infrastructure,” he said.
“At Broome International Airport he was instrumental in establishing international terminal facilities, attracting international airline services from Broome to Singapore whilst expanding the airport’s domestic route network. Prior to his role in Broome, Mr Shaw was employed in senior management roles with the large international ground handling company, Swissport, and with Queensland Airports Limited, the largest operator of regional airports in Australia.”
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Media contact: Ethan Clissold
Phone: 0423 198 808
Email: [email protected]
About Coffs Harbour Airport
Coffs Harbour Airport is one of the busiest regional airports in New South Wales, located just four kilometres south of the city centre. With a catchment area of 150,000 people, the Airport services the sixth fastest growing region in NSW, welcoming more than 263,000 passengers through the terminal in FY2024.
The Airport plays an important regional role as an economic enabler, ensuring strong growth continues while supporting the Coffs community reach its full potential as a vibrant regional hub. The Airport is embarking on the development of an Enterprise Park precinct that, when complete, will house a variety of businesses, attract investment and create opportunities that will continue to attract talent to the region.
Coffs Harbour Airport is partnered by three airlines – Qantas, Rex Airlines and Link Airways – flying to four destinations.
- Sydney – serviced by Qantas and Rex Airlines.
- Melbourne – serviced by Qantas.
- Brisbane – serviced by Link Airways.
- Canberra (seasonal) – serviced by Link Airways
On 1 June 2021, the operations and management of Coffs Harbour Airport was transferred from City of Coffs Harbour to Palisade Investment Partners under a long-term lease. The 50-year lease (with a 49-year option) sees the establishment of a private company, Coffs Harbour Airport Pty Ltd.
