Husband and wife retire after a combined 90 years service at Newcastle International Airport

Posted on 20th September 2019 at 5:19 pm.

Written by Luc Horncastle

Home » News » Husband and wife retire after a combined 90 years service at Newcastle International Airport

The Davis duo, who have devoted much of their life to Newcastle Airport, have recently retired from their jobs at the site.

Keith Davis spent 45 years as an Air Traffic Controller, making him the longest serving employee to work exclusively for NA. His wife Sue worked at the airport as a Customer Helper for 46 years for various companies including Jet2.com meaning between them have spent 90 years working at Newcastle Airport!

How are they celebrating their joint retirement? Going off on a huge holiday from their beloved airport, of course!

Last week saw Sue, who is from Northumberland, look after customers for one last time as she described her time at Newcastle Airport by saying “I absolutely loved it”.

She added: “It was so different every day, and the people at the airport and Jet2.com are just so wonderful to work with.
“I’m really going to miss that, and of course the opportunity to wave customers off to all the destinations that Jet2.com flies to. Faro in Portugal is a personal favourite of mine.”
Recalling her decision to join Jet2.com, she said: “I really fancied working for an airline, and Jet2.com really stood out to me as a respected, friendly brand.
“I had worked one side of airport operations and it was exciting to see how an airline operated. The idea of a desk job did not appeal to me.”
Before dipping her toes in the occupation of Customer Helper, Sue worked at the airport as a ground handler and ticket desk manager.
Sue’s husband Keith is also looking forward to putting his feet up.
Sue added: “Between us we have served 90 years at the airport. We’ve barely crossed paths in that time though as we work in such different areas – it’ll be lovely for us to spend some quality time together.”
Geoff Petch, Station Manager for Jet2.com at Newcastle Airport, said: “I’d like to thank Sue personally for all her hard work over the years working for us, where she’s played a vital role in ensuring our award-winning customer service is continued.
“We wish her all the best with her retirement and we have a big send-off planned for her.
Richard Knight, Chief Operating Officer at Newcastle International Airport, said: “Keith joined the business on the 19th April 1975 and leaves as our longest-ever serving member of staff.
“He will be greatly missed by the whole business.
“Over his 45-year career, Keith gathered a wealth of knowledge and experience which has now been passed down to over 25 other Air Traffic Controllers who trained alongside him.

“We would like to thank Keith for his time here at the Airport and wish both him and Sue a happy, healthy retirement together.”

To celebrate their retirement, Sue and Keith, who have two daughters and two grandchildren aged three and five months, are travelling to the USA for a road trip.
Later, in October, their two daughters have a surprised the couple with holiday booked. “We have no idea where we’re going, it’s a complete surprise!”

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Newcastle Airport couple