This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/7985038.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Aer Lingus chief executive quits | Aer Lingus chief executive quits |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| The chief executive of Aer Lingus, Dermot Mannion, resigned on Monday. | The chief executive of Aer Lingus, Dermot Mannion, resigned on Monday. |
| The airline's chairman, Colm Barrington, will take over Mr Mannion's role until a successor is appointed. | The airline's chairman, Colm Barrington, will take over Mr Mannion's role until a successor is appointed. |
| The resignation came a month after the group reported a net loss of 108m euros for 2008. | The resignation came a month after the group reported a net loss of 108m euros for 2008. |
| Mr Mannion, who took up the job in 2005, said: "My decision to step down will allow a new CEO to bring fresh thinking and new ideas to the business." | Mr Mannion, who took up the job in 2005, said: "My decision to step down will allow a new CEO to bring fresh thinking and new ideas to the business." |
| He joined from from Dubai-based airline Emirates on a three year-contract in August 2005 and has been on a rolling one year contract since the autumn of last year. | He joined from from Dubai-based airline Emirates on a three year-contract in August 2005 and has been on a rolling one year contract since the autumn of last year. |
| He has steered the airline out of state ownership, fended off two hostile take-over bids from Ryanair, developed long-haul services and controversially axed the Shannon to Heathrow service. | He has steered the airline out of state ownership, fended off two hostile take-over bids from Ryanair, developed long-haul services and controversially axed the Shannon to Heathrow service. |
| Controversy | Controversy |
| There has been a constant focus on costs against a background of unpredictable fuel prices, strike threats, cut-throat competition and economic downturn in its key markets of Europe and the US. | There has been a constant focus on costs against a background of unpredictable fuel prices, strike threats, cut-throat competition and economic downturn in its key markets of Europe and the US. |
| Hundreds of employees have left the airline. | Hundreds of employees have left the airline. |
| Aer Lingus is expected to make a loss this year | Aer Lingus is expected to make a loss this year |
| Mr Mannion faced controversy earlier this year when it was revealed his contract had been changed to ensure him a payment of up to 2.8m euros if Aer Lingus was taken over. | Mr Mannion faced controversy earlier this year when it was revealed his contract had been changed to ensure him a payment of up to 2.8m euros if Aer Lingus was taken over. |
| The change was later scrapped. | The change was later scrapped. |
| Chairman Colm Barrington said: "On behalf of the board and management team, I would like to thank Dermot for his significant contribution to the group over the past four years." | Chairman Colm Barrington said: "On behalf of the board and management team, I would like to thank Dermot for his significant contribution to the group over the past four years." |
| Sources at the airline say Mr Mannion's decision to leave was amicable. | Sources at the airline say Mr Mannion's decision to leave was amicable. |
| Among the internal favourites to succeed Mr Mannion are deputy chief executive Niall Walsh and chief finance officer, Sean Coyle, who recently joined the airline from Ryanair. | Among the internal favourites to succeed Mr Mannion are deputy chief executive Niall Walsh and chief finance officer, Sean Coyle, who recently joined the airline from Ryanair. |
| Siptu, Ireland's largest union which represents most Aer Lingus workers, said whoever replaces Mr Mannion must be focused on the long term interests of the airline. | |
| National industrial secretary Gerry McCormack said: "Our concern is that the new chief executive has a strategic view and develops business plans based on the long term development of Aer Lingus. | |
| "During Mr Mannion's period as chief executive we negotiated one of the most radical series of partnership agreements in the aviation sector here, or internationally. | |
| "We expect the new CEO to continue working with us." | |
| Fergus O'Dowd, transport spokesman for the opposition Fine Gael party, said: "Mr Mannion's decision to make way for someone with new ideas is commendable, and will hopefully inspire similar moves by his peers in the financial sector." |