Southend Airport appoints Bernard Lavelle as Aviation Business Development Director
London Southend Airport has hired top aviation industry executive Bernard Lavelle to support its continued growth, which last year saw over one million passengers travel through its terminal.
Bernard has joined the senior management team as Aviation Business Development Director from London City Airport, where he was the Sales Director responsible for growing airlines, routes and passengers to record levels. His career at London City Airport saw passenger numbers rise from 100,000 when he first joined in 1988 to 4.5 million when he left at the end of 2017.
Bernard (above) has now joined London Southend with the same objectives and vision for growth. Glyn Jones, Chief Executive Officer of Stobart Aviation, owners of London Southend Airport says: “We’re delighted to welcome Bernard onto the senior team. His 30 years of experience has given him a unique understanding of the interactions between airports and airlines, and he will certainly be key to further accelerating our growth this year.”
Bernard Lavelle, Aviation Business Development Director of London Southend Airport, said: “It’s not hard to see the huge potential for London Southend. With one million passengers a year, the plan is to double that number over the next 12 months. Ultimately, the airport has capacity for ten million which would go some way in alleviating the dire shortage of space in the south east.
“This is a terrific opportunity for me to make a difference, and ensure that airlines understand and take advantage of what London Southend has to offer passengers - comfort, speed of access, few queues and a friendly experience.”