BAA has drafted in Barclays deputy chairman Sir Nigel Rudd as its new chairman, filling a role held by Marcus Agius until he left to take the helm of the UK banking group following the under-fire airport operator's takeover by Spanish construction group Ferrovial.

BAA, which has attracted a wave of criticism from passengers, politicians and business leaders over the poor service at its airports, and is facing regulatory scrutiny over its structure, today announced Rudd as non-executive chairman.