Darwin International Airport strengthens aviation and tourism leadership to support future growth

Strengthened leadership to support Darwin’s next chapter of aviation growth

Airport Development Group (ADG) is strengthening its leadership capability with two senior appointments that bring significant experience across aviation, airports, tourism and commercial development.

Matthew (Matt) Cameron-Smith has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of ADG and will commence on 1 February 2027, while experienced airport executive Kevin Brown will join the ADG Board as a Non-Executive Director from November 2026. 

Together, the appointments add further aviation, tourism and commercial expertise as ADG continues the long-term development of its Northern Territory airport network, including Darwin International Airport, Alice Springs Airport and Tennant Creek Airport. 

Connecting aviation and the visitor economy

Matt Cameron-Smith brings extensive executive leadership experience across tourism, hospitality and commercial operations. He is currently with Journey Beyond and has previously served as CEO of Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia and AAT Kings. He will relocate to Darwin when he takes up the role. 

ADG Chair Mike Mrdak said Matt Cameron-Smith brought a strong combination of commercial leadership, tourism expertise and an understanding of the Northern Territory’s visitor economy and connectivity. 

For ADG, that connection between aviation and the broader visitor economy is particularly important. Darwin International Airport is part of an airport network that supports the Northern Territory’s connections with Australia and the world, alongside tourism, trade, Defence and wider economic development.

Matt Cameron-Smith said he was looking forward to working with ADG’s people, customers and stakeholders and getting to know the communities the group serves.

Deep airport experience joins the Board

The appointment of Kevin Brown further strengthens ADG’s aviation and airport-sector expertise.

Brown has held senior leadership roles across the Australian airport sector, including as CEO of North Queensland Airports, incorporating Cairns and Mackay airports, and Perth Airport. His experience spans airport operations, infrastructure development, commercial strategy, airport development and aviation industry stakeholder engagement.

Mrdak said Brown’s appointment strengthens the Board’s industry knowledge and complements the existing experience of ADG’s Directors and Executive team as the business continues to develop its airports and support aviation growth in the Northern Territory.

Looking ahead

The appointments come as ADG continues to progress investment and development initiatives across its airport portfolio, supporting regional connectivity, economic growth and future aviation opportunities across the Northern Territory. 

Cameron-Smith’s appointment also marks a planned leadership transition following almost seven years under current CEO Tony Edmondstone. Edmondstone will continue to support ADG during the transition period.

For Darwin and the broader Northern Territory airport network, the combination of Matt Cameron-Smith’s tourism and commercial background and Brown’s extensive airport-sector experience brings additional leadership capability as ADG looks towards its next phase of development.