Airservices Australia CEO Jason Harfield will leave the organisation in June, eight years after first being appointed to the role.
Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King made the announcement yesterday.
"I thank the CEO of Airservices Australia, Jason Harfield, for his contribution to aviation and air traffic management as he prepares to leave in June, after eight years in the role," King said.
"In his time as CEO, Jason has supported the continued high standard of safe, efficient and effective delivery of air traffic and aviation rescue firefighting services in Australia.
"He oversaw Airservices’ operations throughout the pandemic, and has been actively involved in the OneSKY program which will ensure the future civil and military air traffic management needs are met."
According to Greens Spokesperson for Transport, Infrastructure and Sustainable Cities, Elizabeth Watson-Brown MP, Harfield was not reappointed because of pressure over noise complaints, particularly from Brisbane.
Elizabeth Watson-Brown MP, Greens spokesperson for Transport, Infrastructure and Sustainable Cities:
“Today’s announcement that Airservices Australia CEO Jason Harfield’s contract won’t be renewed by the Minister is clear result of pressure from the Brisbane community and the Greens who have highlighted ASA’s repeated failures, particularly in dealing with aircraft noise issues," Watson-Brown said.
“Minister King’s decision, overturning the board of ASA who recommended Mr Harfield’s reappointment, is clear recognition of ASA’s failures and the need for change. But this isn’t a PR crisis, it’s a real one affecting residents all across this country.
“More than just a CEO replacement is required for real change at ASA. While ASA continues to rely on fees from airlines for their funding, they can never be a truly independent body that makes decisions based on the safety and health of the community."
Harfield has been part of Airservices' management team for nearly 20 years, and at one stage was Head of Air Traffic Control.
He was appointed Acting CEO after the departure of Margaret Staib, and was promoted to the role full-time in 2016.
Harfield's appointment was immediately controversial as he embarked on the Accelerate program, which was designed to cut costs at Airservices. The program returned $177 million to the government, but cost 900 jobs.
The Airservices board has already started a global search to find a replacement.