Stephen Kavanagh is new Aer Lingus chief executive

Aer Lingus, which is currently the subject of a takeover bid by IAG, on Monday announced the appointment of Stephen Kavanagh as its new chief executive officer (CEO) and an executive director.

Mr Kavanagh joined the airline in 1988 and his most recent role was as chief strategy and planning officer. His name had been in the frame for the top job for some time.

Mr Kavanagh will assume the role on March 1st, with the incumbent chief executive Christoph Mueller stepping down on February 28th to take on a new role as chief executive of Malaysia Airlines.

Colm Barrington, Aer Lingus chairman said that he was "particularly pleased that it has been possible and appropriate for an internal Aer Lingus executive to succeed to the position of CEO".

“Stephen has been a key member of the executive team that, over the last five years, has transformed Aer Lingus into a strong, profitable airline with a resilient business model and an improved cost base.”

Mr Kavanagh is a graduate of University College Dublin and upon joining Aer Lingus he undertook a variety of roles in operational and commercial departments culminating in his appointment as an executive in 2006. He was part of the IPO team that brought Aer Lingus to market in that year. He served as chief commercial officer from 2009 where he led improvements in retail and revenue management, partner and network development. His most recent role was as chief strategy and planning officer.