MAG goes for growth with US division

MANCHESTER Airports Group is entering the US market and has hired a rising star of North American aviation to lead its growth there.

M.A.G, which owns Manchester, Stansted, East Midlands and Bournemouth Airports, says it is not looking to acquire an American airport, but will look to sell its services and brands to operators there.

It has appointed Rosemarie Andolino to the new role of chief executive and president of M.A.G U.S.

She will oversee the development of M.A.G’s airport services business in the States, working with airports to develop and operate terminal and retail solutions, passenger lounges and car parking facilities.

Andolino joins M.A.G following more than 12 years in international airport management. Recently she served as the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) Commissioner where she oversaw the management and function of the world’s busiest airport system.

The Chicago system comprises of O’Hare and Midway International Airports which on an annual basis collectively handle over one million flights, 87 million passengers, 1.5 million tons of cargo and have an operating budget of $1bn.

Last year Andolino, was named by Premier Magazine as one of the ‘30 most compelling women in the travel industry’, joins M.A.G U.S from Jacobs Engineering where she has been vice president of Aviation. She will take up her new role on June 1 amd will manage a team based in a new office, set to open in New York later this year.

Charlie Cornish, chief executive of M.A.G, said: “I am delighted to welcome Rosemarie to the business and am confident that she will be the driving force in building a successful airport services business for M.A.G in North America.

“The combination of Rosemarie’s experience of major US aviation projects and M.A.G’s existing expertise drawn from its running of four UK airports, makes me confident that we will have a unique offering for the North American market.

“M.A.G has transformed the airports under its ownership, both from an operational and financial perspective. Since acquiring Stansted just over two years ago, we have invested in creating a new passenger experience and turned it into the fastest growing major airport in the UK.

“Much of this success has been driven by our unique ownership structure that has enabled us to work closely with both public and private investors to deliver airports that truly serve the regions in which they operate.”

Rosemarie Andolino, added: “M.A.G has impeccable credentials for the ownership and operation of airports in key markets.

“The airport industry in North America is going through a period of transition and M.A.G is well placed to play a significant role in supporting airports develop new and improved facilities for passengers and airlines. I very much look forward to building on the success that M.A.G has enjoyed to date.”