Joost Meijs will step down as CEO of Maastricht Aachen Airport on 1 November to take up the position of CEO at Air Traffic Control the Netherlands (LVNL).
The MAA Supervisory Board has initiated the recruitment process for a suitable successor.
Shareholder Royal Schiphol Group is offering Jan Eerkens (CEO of Lelystad Airport) the opportunity to temporarily take on the role of CEO of MAA – in addition to his current position – until the new CEO takes office.
Under the leadership of Joost Meijs, Maastricht Aachen Airport made significant strides last year in professionalising the organisation and charting a course toward becoming the future-proof and environmentally conscious airport envisioned by the Province of Limburg and Royal Schiphol Group as shareholders.
The added value of the partnership with Schiphol was clearly evident in the new cargo strategy, in which Maastricht Aachen Airport plays a prominent role.
After several years of decline, the airport expects air freight volumes to grow again in 2025.
Joost Meijs said: “Over the past year, I’ve worked with great energy and dedication, along with a fantastic team of enthusiastic and capable people, to professionalise the organisation and increase MAA’s commercial strength.
“This airport has enormous potential, and I would have loved to see it through to completion.
“However, as CEO of LVNL, I can be of great significance to the entire aviation sector in the Netherlands. That’s an opportunity I feel I can’t pass up.
“I thank the team at Maastricht Aachen Airport for their excellent collaboration and have complete confidence in them, and thus in MAA’s successful future.”
Frans Weekers, on behalf of the Supervisory Board of Maastricht Aachen Airport, said: “We are very grateful to Joost for his contribution to Maastricht Aachen Airport.
“Joost has made a significant contribution to the airport: organisationally, financially, and operationally.
“We are sad to see him go, but we understand his reasons. We wish him every success at LVNL.”
Meijs has been seconded by Schiphol to MAA and will therefore also be leaving Royal Schiphol Group on 1 November.
He said: “Royal Schiphol Group is a wonderful organisation to work for. I am grateful for the opportunities I’ve had at Eindhoven Airport, Aruba Airport, and now Maastricht Aachen Airport.
“Aviation is incredibly important to so many people. I will continue to dedicate myself to the development of aviation in the Netherlands, soon to be based at LVNL.”
The Supervisory Board of Maastricht Aachen Airport has initiated the recruitment process for a suitable successor.
The Supervisory Board and shareholders of MAA are pleased that Jan Eerkens will temporarily assume the role of CEO of Maastricht Aachen Airport, in addition to his role as CEO of Lelystad Airport, effective 1 November, until the new CEO takes office.
He will continue MAA’s current path of professionalization and its chosen strategic direction.
Jan Eerkens said: “MAA is of great importance to Schiphol Group. It is an airport with strong regional roots and considerable potential.
“I look forward to working with the team to build MAA’s future, just as I will continue to do for Lelystad Airport. I will continue to work tirelessly there as well.
“Both Lelystad and Maastricht have strong teams, and I will fully commit myself to the future of both airports.”
