Will Curtis, managing director of London Biggin Hill Airport, has announced that he will step down at the end of March after overseeing six years of unprecedented growth in the business.

He will be succeeded by David Winstanley, who will take up his appointment at the airport’s first chief executive.

London Biggin Hill Airport is located 12 miles from central London and offers award-winning VIP handling, a choice of fixed-base operators, extensive hangarage, support and maintenance services for all ranges of business jets.

A designated UK port of entry, Biggin Hill is free of runway slot constraints.

An exclusive six-minute helicopter transfer service to and from the heart of London makes it the fastest transfer of any London airport.

Winstanley will lead a management team that has made London Biggin Hill one of the most successful business aviation airports in Europe and home to a growing community of aviation maintenance businesses.

He began his career in the Royal Air Force as an air traffic controller and rose to become a wing commander.

He joined Birmingham Airport in 2007 and took on positions of increasing seniority, becoming chief operating officer in 2014, a position he held until April last year.

Andrew Walters, chairman of London Biggin Hill, said: “With the support of our local community, London Biggin Hill is enjoying increasing success.

“Our extended operating hours and significant investment in facilities helped us to outperform the market strongly in 2018, with a 12 per cent increase in aircraft movements and further direct and indirect job creation.

“We are delighted to have attracted someone of David Winstanley’s calibre as chief executive, whose deep understanding of airport operations and outstanding leadership skills will enable us to further enhance Biggin Hill’s position as the premier business aviation centre for London.”

Biggin Hill is the only dedicated business aviation airport within the capital and is already home to over 65 commercial and aviation activities.