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Bosses desert troubled Heathrow Airport

Bosses desert troubled Heathrow Airport As Heathrow Airport's reputation sinks further into the mire with unacceptable flight delays and queues for security checks growing longer, two leading executives have jumped ship from BAA, which operates some of the busiest airports in Europe.

Airport operator BAA's senior executive team has seen relations between management in England and the Spanish owner Ferrovial grow tense.

This has led to two key figures handing in their notices. Both Duncan Bonfield, corporate affairs director for BAA, and Mark Mann, the operator's media relations chief, have resigned.

BAA's monopoly of seven major UK airports, including Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted, is currently under examination by the Competition Commission.

Tony Douglas, the chief executive of Heathrow, already quit the airport industry last month, as Heathrow was branded a "disgrace" by ministers and Mr Douglas himself said the hub was coming apart at the seams.

This news comes as BAA has just faced major criticism for its plans to build another runway at Heathrow Airport.

Additionally, Heathrow has come under fire for customer services standards, with flight delays topping the table for complaints.

It is reported that the latest two employees to leave BAA had expressed their concern about Ferrovia's influence from Spain, which did not help the public relations situation that the London airport is now facing.

BAA has already lost many employees, who left following the Spanish firm's takeover last year amid claims that it might destroy the airport operator's independence.

Mike Clasper, former chief executive, already left, as did Margaret Ewing, chief financial officer; Ian Hargreaves, director of corporate and regulatory affairs; and Marcus Agius, the chairman.

Peter Blausten, head of human resources, left the most recently after Tony Douglas.

It seems that airport chiefs' consciences are finally getting to them after Heathrow Airport was named the second worst for delays in the country.

Travel Counsellors believes that passengers should receive the best service available at airports, which should aim to cut delays.

Travel Counsellors' chairman David Speakman says that inefficient processes are not acceptable and cause holidaymakers misery. Visit our website at www.ukairportdelays.co.uk to campaign against poor service and to report delays at airports - Travel Counsellors will use your comments to push for better service from the air industry.

Airport News posted on 28 August 2007

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