Airport Managing Director To Step Down

David Ryall, the man who has spearheaded the development of Robin Hood Airport, is to step down from his job at the end of January.

Mr Ryall, who is managing director and director of aviation services at the airport and director of Sheffield City Airport, said the time was right to move on and seek new and equally exciting challenges within or outside the aviation industry.

The challenge of taking the airport from an operational concept to become the first commercial airport of its type to be created in the UK for 60 years had been immense.

But he said the airport now had a cohesive team, performing to a very high standard and was regarded by some authorities as an example for others to follow.

Mr Ryall added he had set the timing of his departure against an encouraging rise in passenger numbers since 2005, and the fact the airport had attained benchmark passenger figures indicated it was now moving from 'new' to 'normal' operation.

As the airport set-up phase was complete, it was the right time to hand the baton on to someone else.