Airport operator BAA has appointed a new deputy managing director at Gatwick.

Paul Griffiths, who will fill the new post in January, will oversee expansion at the West Sussex airport. He will also be responsible for developing airline routes.

The 45-year-old joins BAA from the Virgin Group, where he has spent 14 years working across the Virgin Atlantic Airways and Virgin Trains businesses.

His brief will include ensuring expansion plans for Gatwick are fully prepared and supported by the airport's stakeholders.

Roger Cato, the airport's managing director, said: "We have permission to grow Gatwick to about 40 million passengers a year within the next decade and will be investing about one billion pounds in improving and extending facilities.

"Paul will help us meet the challenges that this substantial development programme will present."