Ground staff are seen near an Aer Lingus aircraft at Dublin Airport in the Republic of Ireland. File photo: Paul McErlane Ground staff are seen near an Aer Lingus aircraft at Dublin Airport in the Republic of Ireland. File photo: Paul McErlane
Dublin - Aer Lingus Group PLC said Stephen Kavanagh will succeed Christoph Mueller as chief executive officer of the Irish carrier being pursued for a takeover by British Airways-parent IAG SA.
Kavanagh is the airline’s chief strategy and planning officer and will begin in his new role from March 1, the Dublin-based airline said in a statement today. The executive joined Aer Lingus in 1988 and was involved in the initial public offering in 2006.
The appointment comes seven months after Mueller announced plans to resign and amid takeover negotiations that could see London-based IAG buy the Irish airline. Under Mueller’s leadership, Aer Lingus resisted a takeover bid from Ryanair Holdings PLC, Europe’s biggest discount carrier, and expanded its trans-Atlantic routes.
Kavanagh has a “commanding knowledge of both the company and the industry” and has been a “key member of the executive team”, Aer Lingus Chairman Colm Barrington said in the statement.
Bloomberg