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John Spooner
John Spooner
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Spooner quits as airport boss

Dean Kirby - Exclusive
14/ 2/2006

MANCHESTER Airport has revealed a top-level shake-up and the unexpected departure of managing director John Spooner.

Mr Spooner, a qualified pilot, resigned yesterday after five years in the role and more than two decades in the aviation industry.

He said: "I have been in the aviation industry for 25 years in May. If I don't stop now I never will."

Mr Spooner promised there would be an "orderly handover" in the running of the airport.

He said he wants to pursue other interests including spending more time flying and spending more time with his children.

"In my time at Manchester we have overcome many challenges and achieved a great deal.

"September 11 was probably the most dificult time but we recovered strongly and have since been voted the UK's best airport by a number of organisations."

He said Manchester Airport is a "great symbol" of what can be achieved in the regions and added that he was proud of the contribution it was making to the economy of Manchester and the region.

Revamp

Under Mr Spooner's leadership, the airport made record '94.8m profits in 2004-05 and passenger figures have hit 22m.

Geoff Muirhead, Manchester Airports Group chief executive, said: "I wish John Spooner every success for the future and thank him for his excellent service to the group during the last five years."

Mr Muirhead also revealed a revamp of the airport's operations, which sees the end of the two separate businesses, Manchester Airport plc and Manchester Airport Aviation Services, which ran the airport.

Manchester Airport plc managed airfield operations and the terminals, as well as aviation development, commercial development, communications, information services, planning and the environment.

MAAS, meanwhile, looked after security, the car parks, occupational health, engineering, human resources, the fire station and Ringway Handling Services.

Under the shake-up Manchester Airports Group will take on the commercial activities of both units.

Manchester Airport Services and Operations will manage the other functions.

Rowena Burns has been named as group commercial director. She takes responsibility for commercial strategy and marketing across MAG.

Andrew Cornish has taken over as managing director of Manchester Airport Services and Operations.


| Submit CommentSubmit Comments | View CommentsView Comments(3)


Most recent 2 of 3 user comments

   I would like to correct the last poster. MAG's didn't buy Nottingham Airport it bought East Midlands Airport (EMA) which is actually Derbyshire and closer to Derby than it actually is Nottingham. But some daft idiots decided to rename it Nottingham East Midlands Airport (NEMA). To which local people still refer to it as EMA as does the press and alot of other destination airports and press. Even road signs still refer it to as East Midlands. Nottingham has its own airport though not an international one like Manchester or East Midlands. Locals have won the battle to stop another runway though I am aware there will be increased flights but they are sure it won't be long til they win the right to have EMA back as EMA & not NOTTINGHAM!
Mike Thompson, Derby (Formally Gorton, Manchester)
17/02/2006 at 20:02

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   I am very sorry to see John Spooner leave the airport and wish him all the very best for the future.

I think it's a great loss!

J Bate, Cheshire
14/02/2006 at 12:18

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