Debra Barber has been appointed as managing director and chief operating officer at Cardiff Airport, responsible for directing and controlling operations and optimising a sustainable airport for Wales.

Ms Barber will lead the airport team in managing the business and will oversee the development and delivery of its business plan.

She has been in post as interim managing director since September 2014 having joined Cardiff Airport as operations director in May 2012 following a successful career with the Royal Air Force.

During her time as interim managing director, the airport has seen a significant growth in passenger numbers, a new airline base, new services and successful delivery of major events plus further improvements to the terminal and airfield operations.

The year has seen the arrival of the new two aircraft Flybe base in June, now operating 14 routes across the UK and Europe.

Vueling added extra services to Spain for 2015 and 2016 and has recently celebrated the 300,000th passenger to travel with the airline from Cardiff.

Thomson has also announced a cruise flight direct from Cardiff to Dubai for winter 2016 as part of its new programme in the region.

Passenger numbers are currently +10 per cent for the rolling year to the end of November 2015 at 1,139,567.

November figures were +33 per cent compared to November 2014 which follows a record breaking October with passenger numbers being +62 per cent year on year. Growth is due to the success of the new Flybe base plus strong load factors for airlines including KLM, Vueling, Aer Lingus and Thomson.

The airport played a significant role in two major events in the region, contributing to the successful Nato Wales Summit by welcoming 17 heads of state and 28 senior ministers to Wales followed by the Rugby World Cup which attracted more than 30,000 additional passengers.

Roger Lewis, chairman of Cardiff Airport, said: “I am delighted to announce Debra’s role to lead the team during the next stage of the airport’s development. Debra’s significant aviation experience, coupled with hands on leadership during the past 15 months puts her in an ideal position for this role.

“We aim to develop a sustainable airport for Wales, recognising the vital role it plays in the Welsh economy as the national airport. The life blood of the airport remains passenger numbers and we are focused on the challenging task of winning new airlines and services to provide more choice of routes for travel to and from Wales.”