Emirates president Sir Timothy Charles Clark will step down from his position after 35 years of service, reported the local media. He had earlier hinted at retirement.

The top airline executive joined Emirates’ founding team in 1985 and rose up the ranks to become its president in 2003.

Sir Clark played a vital role in the development and growth of Emirates — turning it the largest international airline of the world, and becoming a a key customer of Boeing Co. and Airbus SE.

Sir Clark is an alum of the University of London and is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society. He also holds an honorary doctorate from the University of Middlesex and an honorary degree from the Newcastle Business School at Northumbria University, both UK.

He was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) in the 2014 New Year Honours for his contribution to the aviation industry. He was also named the Person of the Year 2013 by Aviation Week & Space Technology magazine.

The search for Sir Clark’s replacement is currently underway, reports added.

Prior to Emirates, Sir Clark built his reputation as a talented route planner at Gulf Air, which had recruited him from Caledonian Airways. He had also held the position of Managing Director of Sri Lankan Airlines until 2008.