Luton airport commercial director Jonathan Pollard is joining rival Gatwick in September.
He will take up the role of chief commercial officer, with the announcement coming as easyJet resumed Gatwick flights after an 11-week pause due to Covid-19 travel restrictions.
Pollard will be responsible for the airport’s airline relations, retail, restaurants and other commercial revenue streams, including car parking and property.
He spent two years at Luton airport helping drive passenger growth, partly by accelerating the introduction of larger more environmentally friendly aircraft.
He was also responsible for expanding airport’s commercial and retail space, creating a commercial strategy based upon business research and passenger insight.
Pollard was previously commercial director of the coach division of National Express Group.
Gatwick chief executive Stewart Wingate said: “Jonathan joins us in what are unprecedented times and his experience and success driving vital revenue streams and developing new business will be critical in helping Gatwick rebuild and grow as the airport enters a new chapter in its history.”
Pollard added: “We are inevitably experiencing difficult times, but the aviation industry has proven its resilience in the past and this will likely be no exception as long as we adapt quickly to changes in consumer behaviour and passenger processes.”