Director quits Civil Aviation Authority over British Airways shares Business

A Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) board member has been forced to resign after breaching conflict of interest rules by holding ‘a few thousand pounds’ of shares in the owner of British Airways.

Garry Copeland, former director of engineering for British Airways, has resigned after being hired as a non-executive last September to help CAA achieve “its strategic safety objectives”.

His nomination was signed by Grant Shapps, the Transport Secretary, industry sources said.

It is understood that a regular audit by the CAA of the financial interests of board members revealed that Mr Copeland held IAG shares directly, rather than a pension from IAG or British Airways.

Board members must disclose their financial interests to assess their independence from airlines and airports.

The CAA said: “It is with regret that we have not been able to resolve a potential conflict of interest to our mutual satisfaction.” Mr. Copeland could not be reached for comment.

The fiasco comes just weeks after the Shapps-led Department for Transport (DfT) was forced to reverse its decision to include Heathrow Airport chief executive John Holland-Kaye on a panel of six people to select one of the most senior officials in British aviation. .

Airlines were angry that Mr Holland-Kaye was chosen to help select the chief executive of aviation and maritime transport, as Heathrow clashed with carriers over plans to increase costs landing fees.

The government initially insisted there would be a “fair and open process”, allowing airlines to participate in the selection. A few days later he said: “After further consideration of the most appropriate recruitment approach for this important role, John Holland-Kaye has resigned from the panel.”

The government declined to comment.