JOHN Parkin will succeed Trevor Went as chief executive of Newcastle Airport, it was announced last night.

Mr Parkin joins Newcastle from Bristol International Airport, where he has been managing director since 1996.

Bristol has become one of the fastest growing regional airports in Europe, with annual passenger numbers more than doubling in the past five years to three million.

In addition to his airport background, Mr Parkin has extensive UK and overseas management experience gained with the Thomas Cook Group and, more recently, with P&O and Princess Cruises Europe.

His former management roles include travel-related retailing, IT, shipping, tour operations, business development, as well as sales and acquisitions in the UK, North America, Australia and Japan.

Mr Parkin, who takes over his new role on June 5, said: "I am delighted to be joining the Newcastle Airport team at such an exciting stage in the airport's growth and development.

"We have the combined benefits of a strong and successful past, a new strategic partnership and rising public demand for air travel, on which to build our future successes."