Marion Charlton, QAL - Inside story of the Gold Coast's world-class airport transformation
Episode description (29 mins)
Marion Charlton is the Chief Operating Officer of Queensland Airports Limited. A described 'aviation nerd' who helped steer Sydney Airport through the 2000 Olympics Games, perhaps her greatest career achievement (and most daunting challenge) to date has been overseeing the redevelopment of the Gold Coast Airport. One our city's biggest ever infrastructure projects (the airport doubled its footprint to 30,000sqm), it happened to coincide with... a worldwide pandemic. Find out how Marion navigated the monumental challenges that COVID dumped on the project (no flights, no passengers, no income, no workers...) and what has been achieved since then. We cover the new aerobridges that are transforming airport operations, wonderful new initiatives for passengers such as the Hidden Disabilities Program and 'pat me' airport dogs, plans for the future, and why the Gold Coast is truly the 'Goldilocks' city.
About Marion
Marion Charlton has an impressive track record in business and aviation domestically and abroad. Since joining Queensland Airports Limited (QAL), Marion has held a variety of senior roles including her current position of Chief Operating Officer, where she manages the day-to-day operations of QAL group airports. Recently, Marion oversaw the transformational Gold Coast Airport terminal expansion, which doubled Gold Coast Airport’s footprint to 30,000sqm. Marion worked in Atlanta during the 1996 Olympic Games and leveraged this experience to develop Sydney Airport's successful 2000 Olympic Games delivery framework. She also led the exemplary handling of the 2018 Commonwealth Games at the Gold Coast Airport.
