Aurigny CEO to retire from role

Current chief executive Mark Darby took on the role in 2013 and made the decision to retire in February.

He will be replaced by Nico Bezuidenhout, founder and until recently chief executive of Mango Airlines, a subsidiary of South African Airways.

Once the handover has taken place, Mr Darby will continue in an advisory capacity until his contract ends in 2021.

Chairman Andrew Haining had indicated to the States Trading Supervisory Board that he would step down at the end of 2019 and a replacement was selected by the end of that year.

But Mr Haining agreed to remain in place to help steer the airline through the impact of Covid-19.

Kevin George has agreed to take on the role of chairman from 1 October.

He has over 40 years’ aviation and transportation industry experience rising to senior positions at British Airways, CEO of Monarch Airlines in its profitable years and latterly as chief executive of the Isle of Wight ferry operator Red Funnel.

STSB president Peter Ferbrache said: ‘I would like to take this opportunity to thank Andrew and Mark for their valuable contributions to Aurigny over the years and wish them well in the future.

‘Looking ahead, the States have committed to completing a strategic review of air links as part of the island’s Revive and Thrive recovery strategy and I am sure the experience that both Kevin and Nico bring with them will help that process, which will include establishing recommendations for the future role of Aurigny as an economic enabler.’