Deputy CEO Cawley to step down from Ryanair

Michael Cawley (58) is to step down from his role as deputy chief executive and chief commercial officer of low-cost airline Ryanair in March 2014. Mr Cawley is leaving to pursue other business interests, but will join the board of the airline as a non-executive director on May 1st 2014.

According to the airline, Mr Cawley, who is responsible for the airline’s commercial strategy, its successful “low fares - high load factor” operations, as well as overseeing the development of its new route and airport relationships, will use the next 10 months to “assist a smooth handover to his successor”, who will be appointed over the coming months.

Ryanair’s chief executive, Michael O’Leary said: “I am grateful to Michael for his enormous contribution to the successful growth and development of Ryanair over the past 17 years. I am pleased that he has given us such a long notice period so that he can assist his successor over a substantive handover period.”

Mr Cawley joined Ryanair as chief financial officer and commercial director in February 1997. Prior to that, he served as group finance director of the motor distributor the Gowan Group from 1993 to 1997.