The chief executive of Cardiff Airport has left his role after over four-and-a-half years.
Spencer Birns is pursuing 'alternative opportunities' following his departure from the Rhoose airport last week.
He joined in 2006 from Manchester Airport, working in a number of management roles incuding chief commercial officer and head of air service development.
Mr Birns became CEO in August 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic - and in that time, the airport has struggled to recover from its impact.
The Welsh Government, which has owned the airport since 2013, said it was aware of his departure.
Andy Jones, a non-executive director, has been named as interim chief executive - he was previously CEO of the Port of Milford Haven.
In 2022, Mr Birns warned that Cardiff Airport's recovery could take at least 'four years' to recover after annual passenger numbers were 'wiped out' from 1.6 million to zero.
In February, the airport said it had welcomed 881,000 passengers through its terminal during 2024 - up by 5% on the year before.
The Hungarian budget airline WizzAir launched regular flights from Cardiff in April 2022, but they withdrew after less than a year, blaming financial difficulties.
But Welsh Government plans to spend more than £200 million to boost passenger numbers attracted opposition from other airports, most notably Bristol, who argued the use of public money would give it a commercial advantage
A spokesperson for Cardiff Airport confirmed Mr Birns' departure on Wednesday and Mr Jones' appointment as interim chief executive.
A Welsh Government spokesperson said: "We are aware that Spencer Birns has left his position at Cardiff Airport and welcome Andy Jones in his new capacity as interim CEO ahead of a busy period for Cardiff Airport and its employees."
Meanwhile, a former Welsh Conservative leader claimed Mr Birns' "leaving the pitch" was a "vote of no confidence" in the Welsh Government's ownerhship.
South Wales Central MS, Andrew RT Davies, said: "Spencer Birns has always done his best at Cardiff Airport, where facilities are second to none, but the lack of direction from Welsh Government has led to a non-return of airlines and a brutal decline in passenger numbers."
"If we're going to see this key economic asset gain real strength, we need to see a change of ownership, and better direction so talented people like Mr Birns aren't walking away."
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