Navigating new horizons: my first nine months leading AGS Airports

Credit: AGS Airports

When I joined AGS Airports in late January 2025, I stepped into a business at a pivotal moment in its evolution. The acquisition by AviAlliance, one of the world’s leading airport investors and operators, marked the beginning of a new chapter for Aberdeen, Glasgow, and Southampton airports, one defined by strategic investment, sustainable growth, and a renewed commitment to excellence.

A new era of ownership and opportunity

The acquisition, backed by PSP Investments, brought AGS into a global network of high-performing airports. This integration has already begun to unlock new opportunities for strategic collaboration. In March, Blackstone Infrastructure acquired a minority stake of 22% in AGS, reinforcing the strength of our ownership and the long-term confidence in our airports’ potential.

AGS Airports already supports over 30,000 jobs and contributes more than £2 billion in Gross Value Added to the UK economy annually.

Together, these developments laid the foundation for a bold and ambitious future, one that is already taking shape.

A £350 million investment: a transformational commitment

In April, AviAlliance announced a £350 million capital investment programme, the single largest in AGS’s history. This five-year programme will accelerate the sustainable growth of our airports and significantly enhance the passenger experience, as well making each airport the transport hub of choice for the communities in which they operate.

In particular, at Glasgow Airport, we’re undertaking a comprehensive transformation of the main terminal building including introducing best-in-class operational and retail facilities. Southampton Airport, which completed the extension of its runway in 2023 to allow it to attract more airlines, will undergo similar redevelopment works within its terminal, including gate areas. Meanwhile, Aberdeen International Airport, home to Europe’s largest heliport, will benefit from targeted investment in airfield infrastructure and a retail refresh.

Crucially, this investment aligns with our sustainability agenda, including our commitment to achieving net zero for direct emissions by 2035. It also supports the UK Government’s industrial strategy and the Scottish Government’s international ambitions, ensuring our airports contribute meaningfully to regional competitiveness and national prosperity.

Delivering for the regions we serve

Enhancing the passenger experience and the connectivity on which the regions we serve rely on so heavily is a key priority and I’m pleased to say we have enjoyed considerable success since the change in ownership. 

In Southampton, easyJet has continued to grow its network and now operates nine direct routes serving the Central South. TUI also made a welcome return this summer, flying to Palma for the first time in 15 years — a great addition for the airport and the region, all thanks to the runway extension undertaken recently.

Credit: AGS Airports

Glasgow has secured several new routes, including Wizz Air’s services to Rome and Milan. We’ve also worked closely with Jet2, easyJet and Ryanair who have all added capacity to destinations including Kos, Malta, Malaga, Alicante and Faro.

The return of easyJet’s Aberdeen to Paris service has been warmly welcomed by both leisure travellers and the business community across the north east of Scotland. Ryanair’s new route to Krakow, which took off in April, has also proven popular and the recent announcement of Air Baltic’s return to connect Aberdeen with Riga demonstrates that all airports continue to benefit from enhanced connectivity.

The retail team has also overseen considerable improvements at Glasgow, including a £3.7 million investment in our food and beverage offering. This forms part of a comprehensive one-year upgrade of the retail space, impacting all 16 units across the airport. Notable additions include TRGC-operated Sanford’s American Diner, which replaced Frankie & Benny’s, and the introduction of Italian café bar brand Primo Volo.

Southampton Airport also welcomed exciting new developments in its retail offering this year, thanks to a new partnership with SSP Group. The collaboration saw SSP begin operating catering units on-site, including the introduction of the globally recognised brand Starbucks. We’re pleased to see SSP Group’s strong commitment to enhancing the passenger experience and transforming the retail landscape at Southampton.

Aberdeen was named Scottish Airport of the Year at the Scottish Transport Awards in June in recognition of the team’s commitment to customer service and looking ahead to October, all three of our airports have been shortlisted at the National Transport Awards, indicating that each airport is on the right track.

Delivering sustainable growth

Sustainable growth is integral to our business model. It has been four years since AGS launched its sustainability strategy which set out how we would balance the undoubted social and economic benefits our airports deliver, with our climate change responsibilities.

Since then, we have made significant progress. We’ve seen sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) supplied at our airports, partnered with government on hydrogen flight infrastructure research, and conducted live drone trials with the NHS to explore a national medical distribution network.

The sale of AGS Airports to AviAlliance prompted a timely review of our sustainability priorities. We engaged with airline partners, airport businesses, passengers, colleges and local communities to shape our new ESG strategy, a central pillar of which is our commitment to achieving net zero for our direct emissions by 2035. Their insights were instrumental in identifying the areas where we will focus our efforts over the next five years.

This strategy ensures we can continue to lead by example, embedding sustainability into our operations and enabling our partners, passengers, staff and communities to share in our success.

Making a difference: charity events and community investment

Across our airports, we’ve seen an incredible commitment to charitable causes and community support. This year, our teams helped raise significant funds through a variety of events, including the largest-ever Runway Run at Aberdeen International Airport, which generated £65,000 for local charities supporting disadvantaged children in the north east of Scotland. At Southampton, the Runway Run raised £80,000 for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, supporting its plans to relocate to the airport and continue providing life-saving services.

Aberdeen Runway Run 2025. Credit: ASG Airports

In addition to these events, our airports continue to support local communities through dedicated funding initiatives. Glasgow Airport’s FlightPath Fund has provided vital support to projects across education, employment and the environment. Aberdeen International Airport’s Propeller Fund has helped drive grassroots initiatives and community development, while Southampton Airport’s Spitfire Wellbeing Fund has focused on improving health and wellbeing outcomes for local residents.

Looking ahead

The aviation industry is evolving rapidly, shaped by technological advances, shifting passenger expectations and global sustainability imperatives. AGS Airports is well-positioned for future growth.

In the coming months, we’ll be unveiling new initiatives aimed at enhancing operational efficiency, expanding our commercial offerings and strengthening our role in the UK’s transport infrastructure. We’ll also continue to advocate for policies that support regional connectivity and sustainable aviation. I, myself, sit on several committees and boards both at national and local level aimed at supporting future aviation policy.

Leadership in aviation is about more than managing terminals and runways, it’s about vision, resilience and partnership. My first eight months at AGS have reaffirmed my belief in the power of airports to drive progress, connect people and shape communities.

I am honoured to lead AGS Airports at this exciting time and look forward to working with our partners, colleagues, stakeholders and passengers to deliver on our promise: to be the airports of choice for today and tomorrow.