The board of daa, which operates the Dublin and Cork Airports, has appointed John Coleman as its new chief executive.
Mr Coleman has been appointed for a seven-year term and will take up the role early in the new year. He replaces Kenny Jacobs who resigned in February after a dispute with the company.
He joins daa from the Land Development Agency (LDA), where he has held the position of CEO since 2018.
Before establishing the LDA, Mr Coleman was Chief Financial Officer at the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA). He joined NAMA in 2011 and held a number of senior roles during his time there.
He is a graduate of University College Dublin and a chartered accountant.
Daa has airport and travel retail business interests in 15 countries around the world. Its main activities include operating Dublin and Cork airports in Ireland, global airport retailing through its subsidiary Aer Rianta International (ARI) and international aviation consultancy and investment through daa International.
The company is state-owned and headquartered at Dublin Airport.
Before today’s appointment, Nick Cole had acted as daa’s deputy CEO after the departure of Kenny Jacobs from the position, as well as fulfilling his role as CEO of daa International.
Gary Owens, the daa chairman, said that Mr Coleman’s proven track record of engaging with commercial organisations on behalf of the Irish state and seeking innovative solutions that address Ireland’s national needs is especially relevant, as is his experience of building and developing teams.
“His familiarity with navigating complex planning and regulatory systems will also be of great value to daa as we progress our plans for the long-term development of Dublin and Cork airports,” he said.
“Daa plays a unique role in connecting Ireland with the world and has delivered a record-breaking performance in 2026. I am confident it will continue to deliver strongly under John’s leadership,” he added.
Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien has today welcomed the appointment of John Coleman as the new daa CEO.
“Mr Coleman takes on this leadership role at one of our key commercial semi-State companies at an important and challenging time for daa, which is responsible for the operation, management and development of Dublin and Cork Airports, and international subsidiaries, Aer Rianta International and daa International,” the Minister said.
“I believe his experience and skills will be key in leading daa in the coming years, in particular to ensuring the longer-term development of Dublin and Cork Airports which are key enablers for Irish economic growth and in supporting jobs,” he added.
He also thanked Nick Cole, who he said provided important continuity to the company in his role as daa’s deputy CEO in recent months in addition to his role as CEO of daa International.
Commenting on today’s appointment, Cormac O’Rourke, the Chairperson of the LDA Board, said that Mr Coleman had guided the agency with energy, passion and a true sense of public service.
“Under his leadership, the LDA has grown from a start-up to one of Ireland’s most significant housing delivery bodies. It has earned the trust and respect of its partners in Local Authorities, private industry and Government,” he said.
“John leaves the LDA on a solid footing and well positioned to continue to deliver on its mission,” he added.
John Coleman said that daa plays a unique role in Ireland’s prosperity, underpinning the economic, social and international connectivity on which the country depends.
“Throughout my career, I have been driven by a belief that strong infrastructure, strong institutions and strong stakeholder partnerships are essential to national progress,” he said.
“I feel privileged to be joining the talented and dedicated team at daa as we unlock the next phase of growth, strengthen our position as a world-class airports and international aviation business, and continue connecting Ireland with opportunity for decades to come,” he added.
