Regional and City Airports (RCA), a leading operator of regional airports in the UK including Bournemouth Airport, Exeter Airport and Norwich Airport, has appointed Steve Lilley to the new role of Commercial Director.
Steve has over 25 years of experience in the aviation industry, with a strong background in network planning, airline relations, commercial strategy, and aviation development. With an MSc in Air Transport from Cranfield University, his career includes roles with former British Airways’ low cost airline Go, easyJet and Flybe.
Since joining RCA in 2014 as Aviation Development Director, Steve has played a key role in driving passenger growth at Bournemouth, Exeter, and Norwich Airports, securing key airline partnerships and expanding the route network.
Recent highlights include attracting Jet2 to Bournemouth with 16 new routes launching this season; KLM to Exeter with the start of a new daily service to Amsterdam last month, and bringing Ryanair to Norwich Airport for the first time last year.
In his new role, Steve will join the Executive Team and take on responsibility for all commercial activity across RCA’s airports, including aviation development, car parking, terminal concessions, other non-aeronautical income streams, and marketing.
Andrew Bell, Chief Executive of RCA, said: “Steve’s deep industry knowledge and commercial expertise have been instrumental in RCA’s success. His appointment as Commercial Director is a natural next step, and I have no doubt he will continue to drive growth and innovation across our airports as we look forward to a busy summer ahead.”
Steve Lilley added:“I’m delighted to take on this role at such an exciting time for RCA. With new airline partnerships and growing passenger numbers across our airports, we have a fantastic opportunity to expand our services and achieve even greater success. I look forward to working with the team, our airline partners, and stakeholders to drive our commercial strategy forward.”
RCA is currently investing some £60m in a major infrastructure expansion at Bournemouth Airport with the arrival of Jet2 and Jet2holidays this season with two aircraft, and a third planned next year.
Exeter Airport is celebrating its first ever KLM flights with a new daily service to Amsterdam launched on 31st March and a second TUI aircraft starting in May, with an extra 80,000 seats.
Norwich Airport meanwhile is marking one year since the start of the first ever Ryanair flights from Norwich and increased frequency for the summer 2025 season.
In addition to owning and operating Bournemouth, Exeter and Norwich Airports, RCA holds a management contract for Solent Airport and owns XLR Executive Jet Centres at Birmingham, Bournemouth, Exeter, and Liverpool. It recently announced a strategic partnership between XLR and Saxon Air at Norwich Airport to enhance corporate aviation services.
RCA is part of Rigby Group plc, a top 10 wholly-owned UK family business with a consolidated turnover of £3.7 billion and 9,000 employees.
