Bert van der Stege.

East Canada’s Halifax International Airport Authority (HIAA) has hired Bert van der Stege as Vice President Business Development & Chief Commercial Officer effective today. He replaces Ian Arthur, who recently resigned from HIAA, for family reasons.

Duthc-born van der Stege will be responsible for Halifax Robert L Stanfield International’s revenue development, both aeronautical and non-aeronautical which includes strategies to increase flights, destinations, passengers and cargo; and to develop the non-aeronautical business including parking, shops, restaurants, advertising, and vehicle rentals. The gateway serves over 3.7m passengers annually.

Joyce Carter, HIAA President & CEO, comments: “Bert’s international experience and background will be a terrific asset to the airport and our entire business community.” Van der Stege’s most recent role was Vice President Commercial with First Air, Canada’s largest independent regional airline, where according to HIAA “he was instrumental in transforming the organisation and achieving a financial turnaround” between 2013 to 2016.

His previous experience has been in the airline business, starting with Lufthansa, then Arik Air and RwandAir in Africa.