No deadline in airline chief search

AER Lingus has given the head hunting firm it has appointed to find a new chief executive no deadline for their search.

A spokeswoman from the London-based Zygos Partnership said yesterday that the search for the chief executive is under way and the company will be considering both internal and outside candidates.

Mr Dermot Mannion resigned as chief executive this month.

“The search for a new group chief executive will be a comprehensive global process,” said chairman Colm Barrington, who has taken over executive responsibility while the new chief is being sought.

“[We] will consider internal and external candidates both from within the airline sector and related or other service industries,” Barrington said.

The market reacted positively to Mannion’s departure in the hope that a new face would bring fresh ideas to the loss-making former state carrier, which has fended off two hostile bids from rival Ryanair.