Lester Nelson, who joined the Bermuda Airport Authority in March 2017 as its first employee, will retire as chief executive at the start of October, following more than nine years of service.

The authority replaced the Department of Airport Operations, where Mr Nelson was previously employed as the manager of air operations for eight years.

As the organisation’s inaugural CEO, he led its establishment and development during a significant period of change in Bermuda’s aviation sector.

Authority chairman Lawrence Scott thanked Mr Nelson for his contribution.

He said: “Lester led Bermuda Airport Authority through its start-up and formative years during a significant period of growth and development.

“On behalf of the board, I thank him for his leadership and service and wish him a very well deserved retirement.”

During his tenure, Mr Nelson oversaw the authority’s participation in the 30-year public-private partnership with Bermuda Skyport Corporation Limited and the $400 million redevelopment of the LF Wade International Airport.

He also led the expansion of the authority’s operational responsibilities through the insourcing of air navigation and weather services, and oversaw the installation and commissioning of assets including the Instrument Landing System, Automated Weather Observation System and Doppler Weather Radar.

Mr Nelson led the authority through the operational challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic and advanced its strategic priorities of increasing public value, optimising operations and enabling infrastructure.

Mr Nelson said: “I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to lead Bermuda Airport Authority from its earliest days and to see how much the organisation has developed.

“I thank our strategic partners for their support and, most importantly, our team whose commitment to safety and operational excellence has made that progress possible.”

The authority said it remained focused on the safe and efficient delivery of aviation and weather services, while the board completes its search for a “substantive” CEO.