The new chief executive of Aer Lingus is Mr Garry Cullen (53), who will take over the role on October 1st. Mr Cullen's appointment was approved by the board yesterday.

He is currently chief operating officer with Aer Lingus and has worked for the State airline for more than 30 years. Hotly tipped for the post, he was chosen from 60 applicants.

Mr Cullen will not be on a contract and it is unclear what remuneration package he will receive. However, it is understood that it does not breach current semi-state pay guidelines, which would put the salary for the job at around £110,000 a year. The Government is shortly to consider new proposals put forward by Hay Consultants.

Aer Lingus executive chairman Mr Bernie Cahill said yesterday that Mr Cullen had demonstrated "all the hallmarks of leadership, vision and commitment required in the exciting and challenging period now facing the airline".

In a statement, Mr Cahill said Mr Cullen had been "a tireless implementer of the change required over recent years to transform Aer Lingus into a fully commercial enterprise.

"Under his direction, the Aer Lingus operation has become a potent commercial force which is increasingly gaining profitable market share in a fiercely competitive industry."

Mr Cullen has played a key role in recent years in developing and implementing the Cahill Plan, which successfully restructured the airline and steered it back to profitability. Aer Lingus said yesterday that he had also worked closely with the trade unions and staff representatives in developing the Framework Partnership approach, which is set to deliver cost savings of £50 million in the next five years.

The cost savings are seen as vital to maintaining the airline's current profitability and paving the way forward for its development. Mr Cullen will also be deeply involved in seeking a strategic alliance partner for Aer Lingus.

He has worked with Aer Lingus for more than 30 years and has held several senior positions in the company. These include director of operations from 1994 to 1996 and general manager, cargo. He was also project manager for establishing Aer Lingus Commuter, which operates services to regions in Britain and Irish domestic routes.

Mr Cullen also worked on secondment as commercial manager with LIAT airlines in Antigua, West Indies, from 1984 to 1987.

In a statement yesterday, Mr Cullen welcomed the opportunity to take up the challenge of leading Aer Lingus "in the exciting period ahead". He said a clear strategic direction had been mapped out for the airline, based on a business focus "designed to exploit the qualities of the Aer Lingus brand and a strategic alliance which can provide strong market growth through seamless global access with a strong international alliance".

A native of Bray, Co Wicklow, Mr Cullen is married with four children. He was educated in Presentation College Bray and holds a commerce degree from University College Dublin and a masters in management science from Trinity College Dublin.