Airport Boss is Suspended

Newcastle International Airport boss John Parkin was suspended from his job yesterday.

Chief executive Mr Parkin, 52, has been removed from his day-to- day duties while an inquiry takes place into what the airport described as “certain personal contractual issues”.

Last night the organisation refused to release any further details and Mr Parkin was unavailable for comment at his home.

A statement said: “Newcastle International Airport Ltd has today suspended its chief executive, John Parkin, from the day-to-day management of the company, whilst an investigation is carried out concerning certain personal contractual issues.”

It went on to say no further comment would be made until the investigation had been concluded. It is not known whether he has been suspended on full pay or how long the investigation will take.

The airport company is jointly owned by seven North-East councils ( who between them have 51% of the shares ( and Copenhagen Airports.

Last night, the leader of one North-East council described it as a “complex situation” and being of “great concern”.

The decision is understood to have been taken at a meeting of the airport company board on Thursday.

Mr Parkin came to Newcastle in 2002 after working as managing director of Bristol International Airport.

His suspension comes three months after a major re-financing deal released pounds 80m to the seven authorities which hold shares.

(c) 2007 The Journal – Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.