Mannion’s pay beats O’Leary and Walsh

AER LINGUS chief executive Dermot Mannion saw his pay packet fly through the €1 million barrier last year.

The airline boss was paid €1.11m in 2007 up from €982,000 in 2007, according to Aer Lingus’ annual report. The increase pushes his remuneration above that of Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary and even British Airways boss Willie Walsh.

Mr Mannion was paid a basic salary of €433,000 and a performance bonus of €335,000. When pension contributions and other perks are added in Mr Mannion’s total pay was €1.11m.

Greg O’Sullivan, formerly finance director and now company secretary, was paid €515,000.

Chairman John Sharman saw his fees for the year more than double to €175,000.

The company’s non-executive directors received between €45,000 and €55,000.

Disclosure of Mr Mannion’s rising pay comes at a difficult time for the airline. In the past two days the airline has increased the cost for passengers to check in luggage and also the fuel charge on its long haul routes.

The airline also faces the threat of strike action from employees who have rejected a €10m costcutting programme.

Aer Lingus made profits of €124m in 2007 on revenues of €1.28 billion.