From Lisbon to London Southend – Executive Handling Manager relocates from Portugal to Essex for new role

London Southend Airport has a newly appointed manager now looking after all the private flights coming in and out of the airport – and she has moved from sunny Portugal to Essex just to take up the job!

Hannah Lo Bao, London Southend Airport

As Executive Handling Manager, Hannah Lo Bao is in charge of all the logistics for the private flights operating through the recently created Executive Lounge at London Southend Airport. The former Arrivals Hall in the old terminal underwent a £½ million transformation to create a state-on-the-art facility that includes a meeting room (complete with full video conferencing technology), a pilot’s rest zone, chauffeur facilities and a large, comfortable lounge with plenty of space for passengers to relax whilst their aircraft are prepared.

29-year old Hannah has spent her entire career in aviation. She started out with EuroManx, an airline based in her native Isle of Man. After studying Aviation Management at university she then took up a job with major private jet company NetJets, firstly at Luton Airport and then in Lisbon as their Onsite Experience Team Leader – a role that saw her travelling the globe to train and support staff at private jet terminals.

But when Hannah saw the job at London Southend advertised, she knew she had to apply – “I had heard lots about London Southend Airport and how Stobart were investing a great deal into making it an airport where a customer’s experience is paramount and it sounded exactly the type of place I wanted to work. My husband and I were keen to move back to the UK, as living in Portugal I was a little isolated from family and friends, so when I saw the job come up I posted my CV to them right away.”

So what does a typical day in Executive Handling involve for Hannah? – “Well there is no typical day, and that’s why I love my role so much! With private jets things change all the time. Sometimes I am on my feet the whole day looking after clients and pilots, other days I am behind the computer providing quotes and trying to entice private jet operators to fly here. The days I love the most are when I think is going to be quiet and then all of the sudden aircraft start booking in, and I don’t stop. There is a great team here and we all do our best to support each other in order to offer the best service possible to our customers and show them why we are different and simply easier than other airports – that’s what it’s all about at the end of the day. “

She added “This week I am off to EBACE: European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition in Geneva for two days and I am really looking forward to it. The event is massive for the private jet industry so it’s a great opportunity for me to tell people all about the fantastic new facilities we are now offering at London Southend Airport and hopefully entice some more private jets to come here.”

And how is Hannah enjoying the Essex weather after Portugal? “I have moved to Rochford, and really like it. However I do miss the Lisbon sun and am keeping my fingers crossed that this summer in Essex is going to be a hot one!! “