Malta International Airport has announced that Karl Dandler will on 1st September 2015 succeed Austin Calleja as the company’s Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Calleja is retiring at the end of August after 24 years of service. He formed part of the team that helped the Government of Malta privatise the Airport in 2002 and has been a key member of the top management team ever since.

Mr. Dandler will be overseeing the financial activities of the entire company. He will continue to strengthen Malta International Airport’s finance department, focusing on sustainable growth and sound financial management.

MIA CEO Alan Borg said: “We would like to thank Austin for his long years of service to the company. During his tenure, the airport has been transformed into one of the best airports in Europe.”

Mr. Dandler has a wealth of experience in the aviation sector, having previously been CEO for Kosice International Airport. Prior to that he spent over a decade with Austrian Airlines where he held various positions including Financial Controller and eventually Deputy President. Mr. Dandler has a strong track record in leading highly engaged finance teams and supporting large companies to make sound financial and investment decisions and in building strong relationships within the financial and business sectors.

Austin Calleja will officially retire on the 31st of August 2015 and will as a result cease to be CFO, Deputy CEO and an Executive Director of Malta International Airport plc. Mr. Karl Dandler will be appointed in his stead on the 1st of September 2015 and resign his current position as a Non-Executive Director of the company.

In seeking to improve and strengthen the company’s strategic initiatives, MIA will also be appointing Tina Lombardi as Head of Strategy and Business Development as from 1st September 2015. Ms. Lombardi joined the Company in 2007 and has managed the Business Development team for the past 5 years. Her new responsibility will mean that she will now also be responsible for the development of strategy, cross-departmental alignment and the implementation of the company’s strategy.

Further changes in senior management include the resignation of Christine Camilleri as Head of Human Resources.

MIA CEO Alan Borg said: “I am delighted to welcome Karl Dandler as Chief Financial Officer, since he brings with him valuable expertise from the aviation industry. We are also excited to promote internal talent to our senior management team and I am confident that with Karl and Tina on board, we will continue to improve our performance as a multi-service commercial entity and invest further in the passenger experience at our airport.