Heathrow chairman Sir Nigel Rudd is to step down from the role next September, after the Government is expected to have taken a decision on whether it will grant planning permission for a third runway at the west London airport.
His replacement has not been named but the airport said ‘preparations are underway’.
Rudd, who has been chairman for seven years, said: "I’m really proud to have played a role in re-establishing Heathrow as a national asset for the UK.
"I’ve seen first-hand just how much of an economic engine Heathrow is for all parts of our great trading nation.
"That’s why it’s so important that government lives up to its ‘open for business’ mandate and expands Heathrow. We can keep Britain at the heart of the global economy and I will continue to actively make the case for a bigger and better Heathrow."
The Airports Commission set up by the Government has recommended Heathrow as the best airport for expansion, but Prime Minister David Cameron has opted to defer a final decision until next summer.
