Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide

Aerospace

New COO at Heathrow

Heathrow Airport Limited has announced that Chris Garton will be joining as Chief Operating Officer (COO) in the spring.

Until early last year, Chris (above) was in the equivalent role at Dubai Airport, where he played a key role in growing the annual number of passengers served from 30 million to over 86 million, over a nine-year period and embedding a strong service culture across the airport.  He is currently Director of Asset Management with Associated British Ports.

Advertisement
ODU RT

Chris’s operational and international experience will complement Heathrow’s focus on passenger experience while helping us improve our cargo capabilities, a key role for the airport in a post Brexit world. His knowledge in continuous improvement and change management will ensure we continue to deliver strong and consistent performance standards across the airport.  Chris’s arrival will build on the progress we have already made in; developing our talented team; improving passenger service; lowering costs and preparing for continued growth in coming years.

Chris is one of the very few people in the world with experience of successfully running a large and constrained hub airport and Heathrow is delighted to have been able to secure a leader of his calibre.

During his career, Chris has also held a number of roles in engineering and change management at Gatwick Airport, Ineos and ICI.  He has a first-class degree in Engineering from London’s Imperial College.

Advertisement
ODU RT

Chris’s imminent arrival at Heathrow follows the appointment of Derek Provan, who has been interim COO since September, as CEO of AGS Airports. 

 

Advertisement
Hexagon leaderboard
Muirhead Avionics appointed ARC for selected IA products

Aerospace

Muirhead Avionics appointed ARC for selected IA products

19 May 2026

AMETEK MRO's Muirhead Avionics, announced today that it has entered into a long term agreement with Innovative Aerosystems (IA) to become an Authorised Repair Centre (ARC) for selected legacy avionics products formerly developed under Honeywell product lines and now fully supported by IA.

Intelligent Energy joins UK alliance to accelerate hydrogen flight

Aerospace

Intelligent Energy joins UK alliance to accelerate hydrogen flight

19 May 2026

Intelligent Energy (IE) has joined the Hydrogen in Aviation Alliance, alongside leading UK aerospace and UK hydrogen fuel cell manufacturer, Intelligent Energy (IE), has joined the Hydrogen in Aviation Alliance (HIA),which brings together companies from across aerospace, including Airbus, Bristol Airport, easyJet, GKN Aerospace and ...

Hexagon releases NCSIMUL upgrade

Aerospace Defence

Hexagon releases NCSIMUL upgrade

19 May 2026

Hexagon’s Production Software Division has announced the latest release of NCSIMUL, strengthening its integrated approach to NC programme verification, simulation and optimisation with a new Selective Simulation capability.

ATI launches tech strategy to double value of UK aerospace

Aerospace

ATI launches tech strategy to double value of UK aerospace

19 May 2026

The Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) has today launched the latest UK technology strategy targeting a generational prize of doubling the UK aerospace sector's market value to $18 billion (£13.44bn) by 2035 and increasing by over four times, to $41 billion (£30.6bn), by 2050.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Aviation operational gains offset by industry growth

Aerospace

Aviation operational gains offset by industry growth

18 May 2026

Analysis from aviation intelligence company IBA, has found that global aviation carbon intensity improved from 860 gCO₂ per revenue tonne-kilometre (RTK) in 2018 to 690 gCO₂/RTK by September 2025 - an efficiency improvement of 20% - but that flight activity growth is offsetting those operational gains.

Egis appoints Shakir Khaja to drive UK and Ireland airport growth

Aerospace

Egis appoints Shakir Khaja to drive UK and Ireland airport growth

18 May 2026

Architecture, engineering and consulting firm Egis has appointed Shakir Khaja as Aviation Sector Director for Europe and Africa, to oversee the firm’s expansion across the airport sector, with a strategic focus on the UK, Ireland and wider European market.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
General Atomics LB