Dublin Airport operator daa appoints new deputy chief executive amid ongoing tensions

Cork Airport 

The operator of both Dublin and Cork Airports daa has appointed a new deputy chief executive amid ongoing tensions between the company’s board and its current chief executive Kenny Jacobs.

According to reports, the chief executive of daa international Nick Cole will assume the position of deputy chief executive. Daa international manages a number of airports around the world including two in Saudi Arabia.

There have been simmering tensions between the board of daa and Mr Jacobs going back months. An exit package for Mr Jacobs was agreed back in September but this would have had to be approved by transport minister Darragh O’Brien and public expenditure minister Jack Chambers.

However, the package has yet to be signed off.

He is less than three years into a seven year term with the airport operator.

Mr Jacobs served as former chief marketing officer of Ryanair before taking up the role of daa chief executive in January 2023 after Dalton Philips left to run Greencore.

The possible departure of Mr Jacobs comes at a critical time for the company. Dublin Airport has been involved in a lengthy process to remove a 32m annual passenger cap, embarking on lengthy legal and planning processes.