Brown steps down as airport boss

Kevin Brown, who joined Perth Airport as chief executive in 2016, is embarking on a new journey, informing the board he will pursue another opportunity in Western Australia.

Mr Brown had previously led NQA Airports for five years from 2011, and before that serving as managing director of Edinburgh Airport while it was owned by the British Airports Authority.

His departure comes eight months after Nev Power stepped down as the airport's chair after he was found to have breached COVID-19 restrictions last year.

Mr Brown will remain in the role until December with the board now searching for his replacement.

In a statement, acting chair Lyndon Rowe praised Mr Brown for overseeing significant growth in passenger numbers prior to the pandemic, calling his leadership "calm, pragmatic and confident".

"While the board and the broader Perth Airport team are dissapointed Kevin is moving on, we wish him every success in his new role and thank him for his very significant contribution to Perth Airport and aviation in WA," he said.

Mr Brown's tenure coincided with a series of dramatic events for the airport, including the pandemic, which halted most air travel, and a long-running dispute with Qantas Airways, which in February was ordered to pay the airport $9 million in aeronautical fees owing.

Addressing a Business News Success & Leadership event in August, Mr Brown said it could take up to 18 months for the airport to fully recover from the pandemic.

Perth Airport recorded a $64.5 million loss in FY21, although Mr Brown has said that improved to a modest profit in FY22.

Details of Mr Brown's new role have not yet been disclosed.