John Irving is currently chief commercial officer at Newcastle Airport and takes up his post at Liverpool on March 12. The airport has been without a CEO since Andrew Cornish resigned. Tony McDonough reports

Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) has announced the appointment of its new chief executive – John Irving, the current chief commercial officer at Newcastle Airport.

LJLA has been without a chief executive since last summer when Andrew Cornish resigned after almost three years in the role.

A qualified management accountant, Mr Irving will take up his post in Liverpool on March 12. Prior to his time in aviation John has also held senior commercial and financial positions at Newcastle United FC and Procter and Gamble. 

LJLA handled almost 5m passengers in 2017 with flights to more than 60 destinations in the UK and across Europe. Passenger numbers grew by almost 3% last year compared to 2016 generating the airport’s highest annual passenger figures since 2011. 

Mr Irving said: “I am very excited at being given the opportunity to take this business forward at a time when the Peel Group’s continued investment in the airport has seen Liverpool become one of the UK’s stand-out regional airports.

“I am thoroughly looking forward to building on this recent success and for Liverpool to continue to be the faster, easier, friendlier airport of choice for passengers from across the region.”

LJLA chairman Robert Hough added: ”John has helped Newcastle Airport make significant progress in his time there and we are therefore delighted to welcome him in his new role here at Liverpool, bringing drive and determination to take the airport on to the next level and to realise its tremendous potential.”