Managing director of Lydd Airport, Romney Marsh, Kent has resigned suddenly after a shareholder/board member dispute over the future of their expansion plans..
The beginning of the end(?), of the airports' expansion plans- already delayed even further in planning apps with the local council (Shepway)-may be due for decision in Jan2009; locals and campaigners mostly all hope this really is soon to be a 'win' for the opposition. (Though Boris Karloff/Johnson has just 'floated' the idea of a new UK airport in the Thames Estuary- again a non-starter we hope)
Kent on Sunday (Kentwide freepaper) website 23/9
(Also newsitem on Meridian ITV-southeast area)
http://www.kentnews.co.uk/kent-news/Zaher-Deir-in-shock-resignation-newsinkent16411.aspx?news=local
In a shock move Zaher Deir, managing director of London Ashford Airport (Lydd), has announced his resignation with immediate effect following a top-level bust-up.
Mr Deir - who leaves his post after five years - said he was departing ‘with deepest regret and sadness’, citing differences with the shareholders and a member of the board of directors of LAA who are responsible for running the business.
He said: “The board and I had different visions relating to the future direction of the airport and associated aviation services based here. It’s regrettable that we cannot agree a united way forward and I felt it was time to hand over the reins to a new management team.
“My departure in no way affects the exciting development plans for the airport or the day-to-day running of the business.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Lydd, working with all the staff, the business community and stakeholders. They will be sorely missed. I’m very proud of what has been achieved here during my time as MD and I wish the airport every success in the future.”
Mr Deir’s replacement will be announced in due course.
Under Mr Deir’s direction, £25 million has been invested in upgrading the airport’s facilities. LAA has submitted two planning applications to Shepway District Council.
One is for a new terminal building, capable of handling up to 500,000 passengers a year; the other is for a 294-metre runway extension together with an additional 150-metre starter extension. A decision is expected shortly.
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Kent on Sunday (Kentwide freepaper) website 23/9
(Also newsitem on Meridian ITV-southeast area)
http://www.kentnews.co.uk/kent-news/Zaher-Deir-in-shock-resignation-newsinkent16411.aspx?news=local In a shock move Zaher Deir, managing director of London Ashford Airport (Lydd), has announced his resignation with immediate effect following a top-level bust-up.
Mr Deir - who leaves his post after five years - said he was departing ‘with deepest regret and sadness’, citing differences with the shareholders and a member of the board of directors of LAA who are responsible for running the business.
He said: “The board and I had different visions relating to the future direction of the airport and associated aviation services based here. It’s regrettable that we cannot agree a united way forward and I felt it was time to hand over the reins to a new management team.
“My departure in no way affects the exciting development plans for the airport or the day-to-day running of the business.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Lydd, working with all the staff, the business community and stakeholders. They will be sorely missed. I’m very proud of what has been achieved here during my time as MD and I wish the airport every success in the future.”
Mr Deir’s replacement will be announced in due course.
Under Mr Deir’s direction, £25 million has been invested in upgrading the airport’s facilities. LAA has submitted two planning applications to Shepway District Council.
One is for a new terminal building, capable of handling up to 500,000 passengers a year; the other is for a 294-metre runway extension together with an additional 150-metre starter extension. A decision is expected shortly.
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