Former Aer Lingus CEO Moving to British Airways

Former Aer Lingus CEO Willie Walsh will become British Airways´ new CEO later this year, replacing Rod Eddington. AA insisted Walsh won´t be replicating his work at Aer Lingus, which he successfully transformed into a low-fare carrier, in part by slashing costs and eliminating services such as the short-haul business class.

Willie was determined that Aer Lingus had to provide what its customers demanded and that was a low price for an air ticket, British Airways chairman Martin Broughton said.

Walsh will join British Airways as chief executive designate May 3. Eddington will retire at the end of September, at which point Walsh will become CEO.