Newquay Airport boss Al Titterington's pay up £56,000
Newquay Airport boss Al Titterington has received an annual pay rise of £56,000, from £69,000 to £125,000.
The rise, revealed by Cornwall Council, means that his pay equates to about 64p for every passenger predicted to use the airport in 2011/12.
The council, which owns the airport, said the rise was due to an increase in workload.
Mr Titterington joined the airport as operations director in 2006 and became managing director in January 2010.
Mr Titterington was paid £69,000 in 2010 and £125,000 in 2011, Chris Ridgers, Cabinet member of the Conservative-Independent controlled council, told Independent councillor Bob Egerton.
His promotion meant his remit included new roles of finance management, administration and commercialisation of the airport.
Independent councillor Bob Egerton, who tabled a question about Mr Titterington's pay to the council, questioned "this largesse on the part of the shareholder, Cornwall Council".
Mr Ridgers said: "The salary paid to the managing director of Newquay Cornwall Airport for the year up to February 2010 was pro rata for three days a week and did not include responsibility for the commercial and development functions of the airport which were at that time undertaken by a team of officers based within Cornwall County Council and, subsequently, Cornwall Council."
He added that the £125,000 was for a 13-month period, and included a car allowance and pension rights.
"The salary was based on an independent evaluation of the appropriate remuneration for a managing director of a regional airport."
Mr Titterington has declined to comment.
The airport has been hit by RyanAir and Air Southwest pulling out of flights at the airport in 2011.
The number of passengers using the airport is forecast to be about 195,000 in 2011/12, down from about 400,000 in 2008/9.