Heathrow's chief executive John Holland-Kaye will step down from his role in 2023 after nine years in the job.
Holland-Kaye will be leaving after what has been a turbulent few years thanks to Covid chaos, strike action and a breakdown in relationships with some major airlines.
Covid disruptions had seen passenger numbers decline rapidly as international travel slowed, with the number of people passing through the airport still below pre-pandemic levels.
As restrictions were lifted, strikes and staff shortages caused a summer of travel chaos, with hundreds of flights delayed or cancelled.
In August 2022, 10,000 short-haul flights were cancelled as a result of staff shortages, designed to minimise disruption to flyers.
A passenger cap was also introduced as a way to ensure as many journeys as possible went ahead.
Relations with some airlines had deteriorated over the last 12 months, specifically Emirates Airlines, which labelled Heathrow’s call to stop selling extra summer tickets as “unacceptable.”
In a statement issued today, the UK’s largest airport praised the departing CEO, saying Holland-Kaye built a strong management team, developed a consumer-focused culture, improved cost efficiency and put Heathrow at the forefront of aviation decarbonisation.
“John has been an extraordinary leader of Heathrow. During the past nine years, he has worked tirelessly and collaboratively with shareholders, Ministers, airlines and other stakeholders to ensure the country can be proud of its 'front door',” said chair Lord Deighton.
John will remain as CEO until a successor has been appointed.