Maybury takes over as Saskatoon Airport Authority CEO

The Saskatoon Airport Authority has a new CEO and president for the first time in 27 years.

Stephen Maybury took over the reins this week from longtime CEO and president Bill Restall, who has been at the helm since 1987.

“It’s really an exceptional and exciting career opportunity,” Maybury said of his new position.

Maybury arrived from outside of Winnipeg, where he was CEO of Southport Aerospace Centre.

He takes over as a terminal expansion is about to begin, part of a 10-year, $105-million overall airport capital plan.

Construction, scheduled to start in early 2012 and be completed in summer of 2014, includes eight bridgeable gates along with three ground-load positions, new food, beverage and retail services, increased seating capacity incorporating business stations, a fireplace and children’s play areas.

Future capital projects include a parking structure and a privately funded integrated on- site hotel complex.

Maybury said the authority has a strong strategic plan and looks forward to implementing it.

He said his job will be to make sure “disruptions here are minimized by all the construction operations that are going on here and ensuring we have a good plan with expanded and enhanced services for the passengers.”

During the first month, Restall will stay on to help with the transition.

“There is a very comprehensive transition plan,” Maybury said.

“You don’t normally get that, so I am proud to have that opportunity.”

And, he said, the chance to learn from Restall.

“There is no question that he cannot answer,” Maybury said.