The outgoing chief executive of Heathrow has been awarded a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.
Colin Matthews joined Heathrow in March 2008 and was made CBE for his services to aviation.
He announced in April he would be standing down from his role later this year.
Under his leadership Terminal 5 has been voted by passengers as the world’s best airport terminal for the past three years, and the airport has constructed a new Terminal 2.
Heathrow’s option for a third runway was shortlisted by Sir Howard Davies’ Airports Commission in December.
Prior to joining Heathrow, Matthews was group chief executive of Severn Trent, managing director of BA Engineering for British Airways, and later executive director of Lattice Group and group chief executive of Hays Group.
Heathrow chairman Sir Nigel Rudd said: “I would like to congratulate Colin on his well-deserved award.
“He has done an extraordinary job in transforming Heathrow to be one of the best airports in Europe.
“Under his leadership, passenger experience has improved dramatically and Terminal 5 has been voted by passengers as the world’s best airport terminal for the past three years.
“With the recent successful opening of our brand new Terminal 2, Heathrow is now a world class airport of which the UK can be proud.”