Aer Lingus said today it has appointed Christoph Mueller as chief executive effective from October 1st.
Aer Lingus said today it has appointed Christoph Mueller as chief executive effective from October 1st. Shares in the airline were unmoved by the news, remaining flat at 53 cent and giving the company a market value of €286 million.
Mr Mueller (47) was formerly the aviation director at TUI Travel, an international leisure travel group operating a pan-European airline with 160 aircraft.
He replaces Dermot Mannion who stepped down in April from the loss-making airline, saying his resignation would allow a new chief executive bring fresh thinking to the airline.
In a statement Aer Lingus said Mr Mueller had extensive aviation experience having held senior positions with Daimler Benz Aerospace, Lufthansa AG, the Sabena Group and DHL prior to joining TUI Travel.
Colm Barrington, Aer Lingus chairman Mr Mueller had the experience and skill-set to lead the airline through an unprecedented operating environment and “make the changes that are required at Aer Lingus.”
Mr Mueller while there were challenges ahead he was “excited about the medium term prospects for the business”.
Aer Lingus made a loss of almost €120 million in 2008 and last month Mr Barrington said the airline was facing its most difficult period in its 73-year history.
He revealed trading conditions nose-dived in the first three months of the year with no indications of any improvement in the near future.
At the company’s annual general meeting he told shareholders it was impossible to make accurate business forecasts for the rest of this year and beyond.