Luton Airport has appointed Nick Barton as its new CEO to lead its £100 million expansion plan.
Barton, who was previously managing director at Stansted, will take up his new role at the end of 2014 which will see Luton’s executive chairman Clive Condie reverting to his previous position as the airport’s chairman.
Luton wants to increase passenger numbers from the current 10 million to 18 million by 2026 through a “remodelling” of the existing terminal and improving transport links such as the train services from London’s St Pancras station.
Barton, said: “The aviation sector has long known about the huge potential at Luton, with a convenient location, strong demand from passengers and great transport links to London and beyond. The investment and development plans already in place will enable us to deliver on this potential.”
Luton enjoyed its busiest ever month in August when it recorded an 11.8% increase in passenger numbers compared to the same month in 2013.
The airport expects numbers to continue increasing following the signing of a new 10-year expansion deal with Easyjet, which has its headquarters at Luton, and will see the airline increase capacity by 20% in the next year.
Condie said that Barton was the “ideal individual” to lead the transformation of Luton in the next few years.
“With a huge breadth of experience across the public and private sectors, we are delighted to be appointing such a high calibre candidate to lead the transformation,” he added.
london-luton.co.uk