After spending decades helping people get to their next destination, Barry Rempel will be departing on a new journey of his own.

The Winnipeg Airports Authority (WAA) is announcing Tuesday morning that their president and CEO, Barry Rempel, is retiring.

"Whether rolling up his sleeves at the airport garden to help grow vegetables for those in need or finding innovative ways to diversify the company’s business model, Barry’s impact will be lasting. On behalf of the entire Board, I want to thank him for his service to our airport and community," Chair of the WAA Board of Directors Brita Chell says in a statement.

Chell says Rempel's contribution to Winnipeg's aviation community was profound. Not only serving the community in his CEO role, but Rempel also sits on the Canadian Airports Council, Board of Economic Development Winnipeg, and the RCAF Commander’s Council. He is the chair of the Winnipeg Art Gallery’s Inuit Art and Learning Centre Capital Campaign.

The CEO informed the board of his retirement early this summer, announcing his departure would be at the end of this year. 

Rempel joined the WAA in 2002 with an impressive resume, working as President and CEO of Tradeparks Development Corp with the Calgary Airport Authority, Canadian Airlines International, and chief executive for Cargo and Canadian North operating divisions. 

Since then, he has overseen a variety of projects and challenges including the airport's redevelopment and the pandemic's extreme effects on air travel.

Work is underway to find candidates to fill Rempel's captain seat. WAA expects to find its new president and CEO by the end of the year.