ALBURY Council has started the search for a replacement airport manager following the recent resignation of Des Ryan.
Mr Ryan, who had worked for the council since 1989, has taken up a job at Moranbah Airport in Queensland’s coal mining country.
He left late last year and Wally Delaney has been appointed acting airport manager.
Mr Ryan began with council as a works safety officer before becoming the airport operations supervisor and then airport team leader.
Moranbah Airport is owned by coal mining company, BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance.
The airport averages 65 QantasLink flights each week but the ongoing mining boom in the Bowen Basin will drive more air traffic in coming years.
A new terminal and runway upgrade were completed last year in the first stage of a $47 million upgrade.
The airport handles 160,000 public and charter passengers each year.
Last year 280,478 passengers passed through Albury Airport, an increase of 511 on 2011.
The airport has undergone major growth in the past five years to be the third busiest airport in regional NSW with nearly 6000 passengers and 200 flights per week.
Late last year the council agreed to spend $2.3 million to prevent aircraft queuing and construct a designated air ambulance apron.
The council last year appointed Mark Munday to the position of group leader of commercial businesses to drive further growth of the airport, Glenmorus Gardens cemetery and waste management centre.
Meanwhile, the council has accepted a tender of $570,000 from Excell Gray Bruni for the next airport park subdivision.
But civil works won’t start until contracts of sale for two of the four lots on offer have been signed.
Each lot is about 5000 square metres in size.
They are being designed for aero support-based industries requiring direct access to the runway.