BAA is to part company with another of its key executives, adding to the flurry of departures from the UK’s largest airports operator.

The Heathrow owner, which has suffered bad publicity in recent weeks over delays and poor facilities at its flagship airport, said Donal Dowds, director of safety, security and services and a member of the group’s executive committee, had decided to leave.

His departure comes just a week after it emerged that Duncan Bonfield, director of corporate affairs, and Mark Mann, head of media relations, quit in protest over interference from Ferrovial, the Spanish group that led the buyout of BAA last year.

Last month Tony Douglas surprised aviation industry watchers when he announced he was stepping down as chief executive of Heathrow airport. A string of other executives have left since Ferrovial’s £10.1 billion takeover deal. Mike Clasper stepped down as chief executive, and Marcus Agius, the chairman, also left, as did Margaret Ewing, finance director, and Tony Ward, who was in charge of security.

BAA said yesterday that it would create a position of chief operating officer, in what Stephen Nelson, the chief executive, said “signals BAA’s commitment to put passengers’ interest first”. Stephen Baxter, divisional managing director for BAA’s Scottish airports, has already been appointed to the new post. He will continue to chair BAA Scotland. Terry Morgan, who heads BAA’s airports in the South East of England, will become airport services director, taking on responsibility for health, safety and security.

The management changes come amid rising concern that the state of Heathrow airport in particular could be bad for London’s economy. Kitty Ussher, the City Minister, has claimed that the airport could undermine the capital’s status as a financial centre.

The airports operator has come under rising pressure as tougher government rules on hand luggage, in the wake of heightened terror fears, increased restrictions on passengers.

Earlier this month, climate change protesters set up camp outside Heathrow to rally against the prospect of a third runway. BAA had sought to secure a far-reaching injunction that could have resulted in five million people being banned from using roads and public transport near the airport.

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