Mueller appointed as new Aer Lingus chief

Aer Lingus appointed a new chief executive today to succeed Dermot Mannion who stepped down in April.

Christoph Mueller, most recently aviation director at TUI Travel, will take up the post on October 1.

The 47-year-old was previously with Daimler Benz Aerospace, Lufthansa AG, the Sabena Group, DHL and Deutsche Post AG.

Colm Barrington, Aer Lingus chairman, said Mr Mueller was chosen after a rigorous recruitment campaign.

“We are delighted to announce the appointment of Christoph Mueller as our new Chief Executive,” Mr Barrington said.

“We conducted a thorough and rigorous recruitment process and have chosen a candidate with a proven track record within the aviation industry.

“Christoph has the experience and the skill-set to lead the Aer Lingus team through what is an unprecedented operating environment and to make the changes that are required at Aer Lingus.”

Mr Mueller, who served as the chief financial officer of DHL Worldwide from 2002 to 2004, said he was ready for the challenges ahead.

“I look forward to taking on the role of Chief Executive at Aer Lingus and am very pleased to have been offered the opportunity,” he said.

“The company has an internationally renowned brand and while there are many challenges ahead, I am excited about the medium term prospects for the business.”

Mr Mannion said he was stepping down to allow a new CEO bring fresh thinking and ideas to the role.

He led the airline through several turbulent years, seeing off bold takeover challenges from Michael O’Leary’s Ryanair, quelling union unrest and driving a massive cost-cutting and restructuring plan to save tens of millions at the loss-making airline.

Aer Lingus made a loss of almost €120m in 2008.

Last month Mr Barrington warned the airline was facing its most difficult period in its 73-year history.

He revealed trading conditions nose-dived in the first three months of the year with no indications of any improvement in the near future.

At the company’s annual general meeting he told shareholders it was impossible to make accurate business forecasts for the rest of this year and beyond.

Mr Mueller most recently served as executive director, aviation, at TUI Travel - an international leisure travel group operating a pan-European airline with over 160 aircraft.