DAE has confirmed the appointment of George Mushahwar as the group’s acting chief executive officer.

Mushahwar takes over from his position as chief operating officer of the Tecom Investments, the real estate and commercial development division of Dubai Internet City.

No reason was given for Johnson's resignation.

Johnson, 60, was appointed chief executive officer of the aerospace, manufacturing and services group in July 2006. Under his stewardship, the group has expanded rapidly, launching an aircraft leasing business last year, DAE Capital, which placed aviation orders worth some $29bn at the 2007 Dubai Airshow.