Aer Lingus names its new chief executive
AER LINGUS has appointed Stephen Kavanagh as its new chief executive as the Irish airline continues to negotiate a possible takeover by International Airlines Group.
Kavanagh, 47, joined the airline in 1988 and has been promoted from the role of chief strategy and planning officer. He will take up the top job from 1 March while current boss, Christoph Mueller, will become the new chief at Malaysia Airlines.
Kavanagh was part of the team that brought Aer Lingus to market last year and the airline’s chairman, Colm Barrington, said he “has a commanding knowledge of both the company and the industry.
Aer Lingus has given its qualified backing to BA-owner IAG’s €1.36bn (£1bn) takeover approach, which values the airline at €2.50 a share. A formal recommendation is subject to the Irish state selling its 25 per cent holding, but there is some opposition based on union concerns.