A series of whistleblower allegations about the condition of a Gloucestershire Airport runway and its managing director’s behaviour towards staff have been revealed.

It follows the Civil Aviation Authority’s confirmation that Mark Ryan, the airport’s managing director, has since stepped down.

An anonymous letter, sent to local councillors and members of the airport’s board, raises concerns about operations at the site led by its managing director Mark Ryan as well as a runway which is described as in ‘disgusting’ condition.

And Gloucestershire Airport has confirmed two out of its three runways have been out of service since October 2019 due to their surface condition.

The letter criticises the way Mr Ryan treated staff and claimed some felt bullied. The writer describes staff as being ‘scared to speak out’ about issues and about losing their jobs.

Gloucestershire Airport said it is internally investigating the claims made in the letter.

Cheltenham Borough Council and Gloucester City Council, which jointly own the airport as an arms-length company, say they have received assurance airport directors reacting in accordance with internal procedures.

Mark Ryan has been approached for comment.

Gloucestershire Airport is based at Staverton, between Gloucester and Cheltenham, next to the Golden Valley bypass, and is jointly owned by the district authorities as an arms-length company.

It has a managing director, a board of nine members and an operations manager.

The airport has three paved runways, a short grass strip and a passenger terminal, and mostly handles commercial flights but passengers can travel to Jersey and the Isle of Man from there.

The anoymous letter makes reference to Mr Ryan’s behaviour and raises concerns about a runway, but doesn’t specify which one.

The letter states a runway has been ‘in a disgusting and terrifying state for a long time, and that little has been done to fix it’.

The writer then calls for an investigation to be carried out into what is happening at the airport.

Gloucestershire Airport has confirmed it has received the letter and that it is investigating it internally.

The Civil Aviation Authority, which oversees and regulates all aspects of aviation in the UK says it was informed last week that Mr Ryan is being replaced. It says it doesn’t know why the changes are being made but that it believes it to be a temporary measure.

Cheltenham and Gloucester’s councils say they are aware of the anonymous letter and they have received reassurance from the directors it will be treated in accordance wit their internal procedures.

They added they wouldn’t be making further public comment until that process has been concluded.

Jon Topping, Head of Policy and Resources at Gloucester City Council said: “I can confirm that we have been made aware that an anonymous letter was sent to the Directors of Gloucestershire Airport Limited (GAL).

“The Chairman of GAL has given assurances to the shareholders that GAL will be treating it in accordance with their internal procedures and the council will therefore not be making any further public comment until that process has been concluded."