Ryanair commercial director Ken O’Toole has joined Manchester Airports Group (MAG) as chief commercial officer.
He will oversee all of MAG’s commercial activities, such as negotiations with airlines, and will report to chief executive Charlie Cornish.
The appointment comes on the back of MAG striking a £175 million deal with Ryanair in July, which will see the low-cost carrier launch a new hub this month at Manchester Airport.
Ryanair hopes to create 2,000 jobs by launching 17 winter routes, growing to 26 by the summer of 2012.
O’Toole played a central role in negotiating the contract on behalf of the budget airline.
The deal to bring a Ryanair hub to Manchester came less than two years after the airline pulled out of the airport.
O’Toole’s role will cover all of MAG’s airports, which include Humberside, Bournemouth and East Midlands.