Airport Chief Named Executive Of The Year

Media Release
28 November 2002
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Airport Chief Named Executive Of The Year

Retiring Auckland International Airport managing director John Goulter was tonight named the Deloitte /Management Magazine Executive of the Year.

In accepting his award Mr Goulter made a toast to New Zealand – “It truly is Godzone”.

Auckland International Airport was a finalist in the Company of the Year category, won by Fulton Hogan, and its e-business manager Steven Williamson was also a finalist up for the Young Executive of the Year title.

In the 14 years since Mr Goulter was appointed to his role, passenger throughput at the airport increased by 90%, aircraft movements increased by 160%, revenue increased by 210% and retailing revenue increased by 430%. Shareholders’ funds rose by 240%, and the Net Surplus increased 19 times from $3 million in 1988 to $71 million this year.

Mr Goulter led the $180 million expansion of the international terminal and he achieved an international aviation coup when he purchased Jean Batten’s Percival Gull, her actual 1938 London to Auckland aircraft which today is displayed in the arrivals hall.

Importantly for the future, Mr Goulter has put in place all the necessary requirements for expansion based on future demand, with the second runway planning processes and consents all signed off.

Mr Goulter has built strong relationships with the airport’s local community particularly through relationships with the tangata whenua, local colleges like Aorere College and the Life Education Trust.

In customer service highlights, Mr Goulter set up the Bluecoats, the airport’s travellers’ ambassadors. He allocated dedicated and handy car parks for pregnant women, free baggage trolleys and free shuttle buses between terminals for travellers.

Auckland International Airport employs around 260 people and more than 59,000 jobs depend directly and indirectly on the Airport. The airport was recently ranked ninth best airport in the world and also ninth best for duty free shopping by influential industry magazine, Business Traveller Asia-Pacific.

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