Richard Gooding OBE, a former boss of both Luton and London City airports, died last week following a recent illness.
His career in aviation began in 1966 with British European Airways and he was well known for his roles as chief executive at Luton – where he launched easyJet services – and then CEO at London City Airport.
He is credited with generating support for the airport, ranging from the corporate world of Canary Wharf to the deprived neighbourhoods of Tower Hamlets and Newham.
Gooding also backed charitable and environmental projects which helped raise the airport’s profile.
Achievements under his tenure included the launch of the first private jet centre with a London postcode and the introduction of Airbus jet aircraft to increase the distance and destinations served, resulting in the wide network served by British Airways today.
Before he retired, he oversaw the sale of London City Airport to Global Infrastructure Partners, of which he remained a non-executive director.
In 1999 he received the Queen’s Award for Export, Technological and Environmental Achievement, and then an OBE in 2006 for his services to aviation.
After retiring from London City, he relocated to rural Suffolk where he created an award-winning holiday-let business.
He is survived by wife, Jacqui and daughter, Elizabeth. Jacqui has launched a Just Giving appeal to raise funds to create a memorial garden in his name.
The funeral on June 18 is restricted to family because of Covid protocols. A memorial service will be held in London with the date, some time after June 21, yet to be confirmed.