BA appoints new chief executive
The former head of Aer Lingus, Willie Walsh, is to become the new chief executive of British Airways.
BA said Mr Walsh would take over from current chief executive Rod Eddington when he retires in September.
BA chairman Martin Broughton said Mr Eddington had “performed miracles” at the airline and had “transformed our business beyond recognition”.
He added that in appointing Mr Walsh “we have captured the very best person for the job”.
Mr Walsh said the move was “an outstanding opportunity to be at the helm of what many people see as the best airline in the world and I’m very excited at the prospect of joining the team”.
The 43-year-old resigned from Aer Lingus last year partly due to his frustration that the airline remained in public ownership.
He joined the airline as a 17-year-old cadet pilot in 1979, and during his tenure at the head of the firm was responsible for rebuilding Aer Lingus following the downturn in the aviation sector after the attacks on the World Trade Center in the US.
Business overhaul
Rod Eddington joined BA in May 2000 and one of his early decisions was to bring back the union flag on the planes’ tail fins.
Since taking the helm, Mr Eddington has endured some testing times, following the Concorde disaster, the post-September 11 travel slump and the Sars epidemic.
He also led the airline’s “Future Size and Shape” review – which led to more than 13,000 jobs being axed, an overhaul of BA’s route network and a change in work practises.
“Rod has transformed our business beyond recognition through his determined focus to drive out costs whilst ensuring the airline never loses sight of the highest standards of customer service,” said Mr Broughton.
“Many commentators have rightly said that Rod Eddington will be a hard act to follow but I am completely confident that in Willie we have captured the very best person for the job.”
Mr Broughton noted that Mr Walsh’s success in leading Aer Lingus back into profit after the 11 September attacks proved he was up to task, adding “many commentators expected Aer Lingus to follow airlines such as Swissair and Sabena into oblivion”.
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I don’t know much about this chap, anyone offer some details?
Allen
By: SHAMROCK321 - 10th March 2005 at 13:15
Ohhh Im sorry if I caused offence I didnt meen anything rude or offensive at all.
By: SHAMROCK321 - 10th March 2005 at 13:15
Ohhh Im sorry if I caused offence I didnt meen anything rude or offensive at all.
By: MapleLeaf_330 - 9th March 2005 at 23:28
You may recall that I’ve started working at BA (Toronto). From my experience thus far, I can’t see any chance on the horizon of BA going the way of EI. It’s business, business, business, business. We just found out the plan for the next two years, there are three main goals:
1. Get the company ready by 2006 for the move to T5 in 08 (two years to work out the kinks).
2. Invest in products and people
3. Bring operating margin to 10% (currently 6%)
I’m sure that Mr. Walsh has some idea of what was on the horizon at BA and made the way clear for himself by leaving EI.
Shamrock: the Gatwick low frills hub is one of the best ideas I’ve heard in a long time. From my understanding in the press, BA do not want LGW to take traffic from BA at LHR, therefore, they will likely consolidate their long-haul efforts at LHR in 08. It will be much more attractive to travellers once they don’t have to jump terminals. Also at LGW BA could take people like Easyjet head on.
I could see them basing a lot of BA Holidays routes out of Manchester. It seems to be a big hub for holiday and charter travellers (from what I see in articles and threads on here).
Great thread, gang.
By: MapleLeaf_330 - 9th March 2005 at 23:28
You may recall that I’ve started working at BA (Toronto). From my experience thus far, I can’t see any chance on the horizon of BA going the way of EI. It’s business, business, business, business. We just found out the plan for the next two years, there are three main goals:
1. Get the company ready by 2006 for the move to T5 in 08 (two years to work out the kinks).
2. Invest in products and people
3. Bring operating margin to 10% (currently 6%)
I’m sure that Mr. Walsh has some idea of what was on the horizon at BA and made the way clear for himself by leaving EI.
Shamrock: the Gatwick low frills hub is one of the best ideas I’ve heard in a long time. From my understanding in the press, BA do not want LGW to take traffic from BA at LHR, therefore, they will likely consolidate their long-haul efforts at LHR in 08. It will be much more attractive to travellers once they don’t have to jump terminals. Also at LGW BA could take people like Easyjet head on.
I could see them basing a lot of BA Holidays routes out of Manchester. It seems to be a big hub for holiday and charter travellers (from what I see in articles and threads on here).
Great thread, gang.
By: Ren Frew - 9th March 2005 at 20:26
I’m not sure if the above comments were aimed at me, but I clearly stated that BA is a different animal to EI, and that I don’t believe we will see the same changes as at EI.
My thoughts exactly…. 😉
By: Ren Frew - 9th March 2005 at 20:26
I’m not sure if the above comments were aimed at me, but I clearly stated that BA is a different animal to EI, and that I don’t believe we will see the same changes as at EI.
My thoughts exactly…. 😉
By: rdc1000 - 8th March 2005 at 20:59
I’m not sure if the above comments were aimed at me, but I clearly stated that BA is a different animal to EI, and that I don’t believe we will see the same changes as at EI.
By: rdc1000 - 8th March 2005 at 20:59
I’m not sure if the above comments were aimed at me, but I clearly stated that BA is a different animal to EI, and that I don’t believe we will see the same changes as at EI.
By: SHAMROCK321 - 8th March 2005 at 20:02
BA are not in the same situation that EI were. Its a completley different situation.
I wonder will he reliase now how important the EI/BA codeshare on the DUB-LHR is.
By: SHAMROCK321 - 8th March 2005 at 20:02
BA are not in the same situation that EI were. Its a completley different situation.
I wonder will he reliase now how important the EI/BA codeshare on the DUB-LHR is.
By: Mark L - 8th March 2005 at 18:07
Interesting, I dont think doing exactly what happened at EI will work with BA and I hope hes just not going to be a one trick pony. I am a bit concerned that he walked out on EI when he faced some opposition, as hes gonna get one hell of a lot of opposition at BA if he tries to do anything.
By: Mark L - 8th March 2005 at 18:07
Interesting, I dont think doing exactly what happened at EI will work with BA and I hope hes just not going to be a one trick pony. I am a bit concerned that he walked out on EI when he faced some opposition, as hes gonna get one hell of a lot of opposition at BA if he tries to do anything.
By: SHAMROCK321 - 8th March 2005 at 17:56
LMAO poor Willy looks nothing like those 2.
By: SHAMROCK321 - 8th March 2005 at 17:56
LMAO poor Willy looks nothing like those 2.
By: andrewm - 8th March 2005 at 16:08
Here is what Google says is his wife. Mrs William Walsh :diablo:
By: andrewm - 8th March 2005 at 16:08
Here is what Google says is his wife. Mrs William Walsh :diablo:
By: rdc1000 - 8th March 2005 at 15:53
[QUOTE=MANAIRPORTMAD!!]
We had recent discussions over why there is no major BA long haul presence in a recent thread…did you miss it completely?????
QUOTE]I obviously did… :rolleyes:
Refer to the thread titled “GLASGOW Airport won a massive expansion of services to the Middle East and beyond” about half way down the page EK made a comment and then I made a more detailed comment regarding the lack of BA servcies from regional UK airports. 🙂
By: rdc1000 - 8th March 2005 at 15:53
[QUOTE=MANAIRPORTMAD!!]
We had recent discussions over why there is no major BA long haul presence in a recent thread…did you miss it completely?????
QUOTE]I obviously did… :rolleyes:
Refer to the thread titled “GLASGOW Airport won a massive expansion of services to the Middle East and beyond” about half way down the page EK made a comment and then I made a more detailed comment regarding the lack of BA servcies from regional UK airports. 🙂
By: Allen LHR - 8th March 2005 at 15:46
A quick Google image search under “Willie Walsh” brings up this character… (lol)
New BA uniform? :dev2:
By: Allen LHR - 8th March 2005 at 15:46
A quick Google image search under “Willie Walsh” brings up this character… (lol)
New BA uniform? :dev2:
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March 8, 2005 at 1:26 pm