Thomas Woldbye, currently the group CEO at Copenhagen Airports, is set to replace John Holland-Kaye as the chief executive of Heathrow Airport when he steps down later this year after nearly 10 years leading the UK hub.
In a statement on Friday (30 June) the Heathrow board said Woldbye emerged as “the standout candidate” following an “extensive recruitment process” that included both international and internal contenders.
Woldbye has served as group CEO of Copenhagen Airports since 2011 and during his tenure forged strong links with the Danish Government, who are part owners of Copenhagen Airport, and fostered partnerships with airlines to drive investment and development, including recent expansions in terminal capacity.
Commenting on the appointment, Heathrow chairman Lord Paul Deighton said: “Thomas’s achievements at Copenhagen not only mirror Heathrow’s long-term strategy, but his track record in successfully running a major airport and working closely with stakeholders to secure consensus and deliver positive results stood out in the selection process.”
The board also paid tribute to Holland-Kaye, who announced his resignation earlier this year after navigating the business through both the pandemic and the recovery in travel demand – which saw the introduction of a capacity cap. Holland-Kaye will remain in place throughout the summer until Woldbye takes the reins this autumn.
In a LinkedIn post on Friday, Woldbye said: “There's never a good time to leave but there could be worse times than now. We are through the worst effects of the pandemic, [Copenhagen] Airport is in good shape and there are robust plans for the future. I am proud of what we have achieved and of the airport that I can hand over to my successors.”
He continued: “For me the journey will continue when I join Heathrow Airport as CEO during the fall. I am naturally excited and proud, as well as humbled, to have been chosen to lead what is arguably the most famous airport in the world on its future journey.”
Prior to his role at Copenhagen Airport, Woldbye spent 27 years at transport and logistics company Møller-Mærsk, where he led global shipping and ferry divisions.