London City Airport's Chief Executive Awarded Business Person of the Year

Richard Gooding OBE, London City Airport's chief executive, was awarded Business Person of the Year at the prestigious Docklands Business Club and East London Chamber Business Awards gala event, held in the Painted Hall at Greenwich, on 22 May 2008.

Giles Broadbent, editor of The Wharf newspaper, sponsor of the award category, said: "The Business Person of the Year award celebrates the ability of an individual to motivate and display entrepreneurial acumen, dynamism, enterprise and charisma."

Gooding, who joined the airport in 1996, has overseen the continued growth of London City Airport year after year. In 2007 the airport witnessed record growth with a 23 per cent increase in passenger numbers over the previous year. 2008 is forecast to be the most successful to date with 3.5 million passengers expected to travel through London City Airport.

A total of 34 UK and European destinations are currently served by ten airlines out of London City Airport, with British Airways launching a business-class only service to New York next year.
 
Richard Gooding was awarded an OBE for services to aviation in the 2006 Queen’s Birthday Honours. He is president of the Newham Chamber of Commerce, council member of the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, chair of Newham Homes, a director of Leaside Regeneration, board member of the East London Business Alliance and non executive director of Newham University Hospital. He also sits on the board of the Airport Operators Association.

London City Airport Limited was purchased in October 2006 by a consortium comprising AIG Financial Products Corp (AIG) and Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP).