It has been announced that the Aer Lingus chief executive officer Christoph Mueller will step down as CEO and director in May 2015.
Mueller was appointed CEO in 2009 and believes now is the time to hand the reins over to someone new.
Mueller has endured a tough year so far, with cabin crew industrial action over rostering issues, a forecasted drop in full-year operating profits as a result of the industrial action and anger over the increase in his pension payments. However Mueller said, "I have thoroughly enjoyed my five years as chief executive of Aer Lingus since 2009. There have been very significant achievements delivered by the board and management team in that period of time. "
Aer Lingus chairman Colm Barrington thanked Mueller for his service saying, "Under Christoph’s strategic leadership, Aer Lingus has been transformed into a strong, consistently profitable airline with a clear strategic direction, a resilient business model as a value carrier and an improved cost base." He also commented that they mutually agreed the departure date which will allow the airline sufficient time to select a successor and ensure a smooth transition takes place.
The process to select a successor will begin shortly.
