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Aer Lingus CEO Seán Doyle is taking the helm of British Airways in a management reorganization at the owner of both airlines, International Airlines Group (IAG).
Doyle, from Youghal, Co Cork, took over as CEO of Aer Lingus early last year after a two-decade career with British Airways, where he held a number of senior positions.
IAG, which owns both airlines, announced Monday that Doyle will take over as chief executive officer of British Airways “with immediate effect”.
The Irishman is succeeding Alex Cruz, who will step down as CEO but remain chairman of British Airways.
Donal Moriarty, Director of Corporate Affairs for Aer Lingus, will take over as Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Irish airline. IAG said a permanent appointment will be made “in due course.”
IAG CEO Luis Gallego said: “We are going through the worst crisis facing our industry and I am confident that these internal promotions will ensure that IAG is well positioned to emerge in a strong position.”
Doyle takes over British Airways as it seeks to reduce its workforce by 13,000 to combat the impact of Covid-19.
British trade unionists and politicians have criticized the company’s approach to the cuts. Recent figures show passenger numbers at Heathrow Airport, the airline’s largest hub, fell 82% in September to 1.2 million.
Doyle led British Airways’ alliances and fleets division, with responsibility for its units at Gatwick and London City airports before joining Aer Lingus last year.
Previously, he was head of strategy and planning, ran its cargo business, was responsible for its South and Central American operations, and worked in Singapore and Sydney. Among other things, Mr. Doyle negotiated the British Airways alliance with American Airlines.
He joined British Airways in 1998. During his career with the airline, he saw how he weathered the crisis that hit aviation after the September 2001 terrorist attacks in New York, and witnessed firsthand the growth that airlines have enjoyed in East Asia. century.
Doyle is following in the footsteps of fellow Irishman Willie Walsh, who ran Aer Lingus before joining British Airways as CEO.
It later merged the British airline with the Spanish Iberia to form IAG, which took over Vueling and Aer Lingus. Walsh retired as head of IAG last month.
A graduate of University College Cork, Mr. Doyle trained as a management accountant.
“Seán has expertly led Aer Lingus and demonstrated exceptional leadership, composure and resilience during the unprecedented crisis triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic,” Gallego said.
Moriarty has been working closely with Doyle to get Aer Lingus through the Covid-19 crisis.
The airline seeks to eliminate jobs. At the same time, it has been pushing the government to ease the Republic’s air travel restrictions, which are among the most severe in the EU.
Moriarty is a qualified attorney and joined the airline as the company secretary in 2009, before being appointed director of corporate affairs in November 2017.
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