FORMER EU Commissioner Mr Ray MacSharry has been appointed chairman of London City Airport. Financier Mr Dermot Desmond bought the airport three months ago for £14.5 million, together with an adjacent plot of land for a further £9 million.

Mr MacSharry said last night that he was delighted to be continuing his involvement in aviation matters as he had just stepped down as chairman of Ryanair after three years. He will remain on the Ryanair board.

Mr John Charnock, managing director of London City Airport said the airport would benefit enormously through having an input from Mr MacSharry, who had a very good profile in the EU.

Mr MacSharry is also a director of Bank of Ireland, Green Property and the Jefferson Smurfit Group.