THE current managing director of Glasgow airport is to become chief executive of the new AGS Airports Limited, the Spanish-Australian partnership established to invest in Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton airports.

Amanda McMillan will head up the company created by Spanish firm Ferrovial and Australia-based Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets (MIRA), who today completed their purchase of the three airports from Heathrow Airport Holdings.

AGS Airports Ltd is now the official owner of Glasgow, Aberdeen and Southampton airports following the announcement of the deal in October. The move is expected to boost investment in the three airports.

Ms McMillan, a qualified chartered accountant, joined Heathrow Airport Holdings from Diageo in October in 2005, initially working in the Business Support Centre before moving to Glasgow Airport in September 2006.

She will retain her role as MD of Glasgow airport while working closely with AGS' chair Sir Peter Mason. Carol Benzie and David Lees remain MD of Aberdeen and Southampton respectively.

She said: "This is a great opportunity at a very exciting time in the development of our airports. In addition to continuing as managing director of Glasgow Airport, my role will be to support the new owners and local management, while allowing the airports to operate individually."

Sir Peter added: "I look forward to working with Amanda, as well as the MDs of Aberdeen and Southampton as we look to continue the growth of the three airports, which are both vital to their communities and key destinations for national and international travellers. Amanda has been part of the group for eight years and is well respected both internally and externally. She will play a key role as we look to grow passenger numbers and routes at the airports."