Aer Lingus has named Cork native Sean Doyle as its next chief executive, after announcing that the incumbent, Stephen Kavanagh, intends to step down at the end of the year.

The boss of Aer Lingus has said he has still his mind set on the potential for growth at Cork Airport, as the airline unveiled its schedule for next summer which was focused on new services out of Dublin.

Willie Walsh, the chief executive of Aer Lingus’ parent company, International Airlines Group (IAG), took home €8.8m in salary and benefits last year.

Concern has been expressed about the future of Aer Lingus’s cargo operation at Shannon Airport following confirmation it will undergo a review in the new year.

Aer Lingus is confident of its ability to rival Ryanair for short-haul passenger growth over the remainder of the year and to meet operational goals after the completion of its takeover by British Airways owner, IAG.

A new approach by key stakeholders who united to “sell” Cork has helped secure the second major route announcement for Cork Airport in a week.

The family of Aoife Beary who remains in a critical condition after falling from a collapsed balcony in Berkeley, California, last month are expecting her recovery to be “long and slow”.

Assurances given by Aer Lingus bosses on compulsory redundancies do not go far enough, opposition party TDs warned as the Dáil voted for its sell-off to a foreign group.

The announcement by Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe that the Government intends to support IAG’s bid for Aer Lingus did not come as a surprise to staff at the airline, or to the unions representing them.

The Government has given the green light for its sale in Aer Lingus, paving the way for what it claims will be extra jobs for the airline, guarantees on the protection of slots and more services for passengers.

Aer Lingus’s continued focus on its long-haul routes allied with containing costs led the airline to a strong set of opening quarter results.

IAG chief Willie Walsh has said that he is in “no hurry” to complete a takeover of Aer Lingus and is “happy to take as much time as is necessary”.

Unions at Aer Lingus say a meeting with the head of International Airlines Group, the company seeking to take over the airline, told them nothing new that would convince them to reverse their opposition to the proposed acquisition.

A prominent Government TD has said his Transport Minister colleague Paschal Donohoe was wrong to rule out exchequer support for debt-ridden Cork Airport.

Aer Lingus’ incoming chief executive has urged those opposed to the airline’s sale to drop their sentimental stance over its change of ownership and embrace the growth opportunities such a move could present.

Impact — the largest trade union at Aer Lingus — has said the airline’s annual results prove it can exist as a strong independent business, and does not need to be taken over to remain a relevant player.

There is agreement at senior Government level that a stronger bid for Aer Lingus can be sold to workers and TDs on the ground if better terms and guarantees are offered by aviation giant IAG. 

Unions representing workers at Aer Lingus are due to brief their shop stewards at the airline today and tomorrow to further clarify their stance on the proposed takeover of the airline by aviation group IAG.

Trade unions at Aer Lingus have distanced themselves from claims from a person within their ranks that workers are now in favour of a takeover by IAG.

Fresh doubts have been expressed over IAG’s pursuit of Aer Lingus after one of the Cabinet’s most senior ministers said the current offer is not sufficient for the Government to part with its stake.

The incoming CEO of Aer Lingus last night gave the airline’s unequivocal backing to IAG’s proposed takeover, insisting it was in the best interest of all stakeholders.

IAG’s offer to buy Aer Lingus comes at a time when the Irish carrier is more challenged than ever and offers an unparalleled route to sustainable growth.

Aer Lingus has backed claims that more than 500 jobs would be created on new transatlantic routes if a €1 billion bid for the carrier goes through.

Representatives of Aer Lingus and its regional operation will discuss the possible sale of the Government stake in the airline with TDs and Senators this evening.

Stephen Kavanagh’s appointment as Aer Lingus chief executive has been heralded as a positive development by analysts.

Aer Lingus has announced that its new chief executive will be a senior manager with 26 years’ service with the airline.

Aer Lingus has today announced additions to its schedule for summer 2014 with new routes at Dublin and Shannon airports.

Longford Slashers (Longford) 3-13 Rathnew (Wicklow) 0-10

Aer Lingus has agreed to lease four planes to Virgin Atlantic along with crew, maintenance and legal liability to allow Virgin establish a short-haul operation in Britain.

Nagle Community College’s bid to retain their Umbro FAI Schools John Murphy All-Ireland title ended in heartbreak in yesterday’s extra-time thriller at Waterford RSC.

RED-HOT favourites Portlaoise had to wait until the second-half beforebeing able to impose their authority on a gallant Rathnew side in this quarter-final clash at O’Moore Park yesterday.

Charlton have reported Newcastle to the Premier League after rejecting their offer for goalkeeper Rob Elliot.

Plastic bullets have been considered by police chiefs as a tactic to bring the unprecedented rioting under control.

A Scotland Yard chief apologised to Londoners today as he said the riots had stretched resources “to an extent I have never seen before”.

Peckham-raised England defender Rio Ferdinand has expressed shock at the rioting which has escalated in London and spread to other cities.

West Ham and Charlton have postponed tonight’s Carling Cup clashes following a third night of violent riots in London – casting doubt over whether England’s international friendly with Holland will go ahead.

Swathes of London were burning tonight as the most devastating night of rioting so far raged across the capital for a third day.

RIOTERS were rampaging across Britain’s capital again last night as politicians and police chiefs tried desperately to curb the “sheer criminality”.

Rioters were rampaging across Britain’s capital again tonight as politicians and police chiefs tried desperately to curb the “sheer criminality”.

The jury has been discharged in the trial of a Dublin man accused of murdering his best friend and neighbour in Blanchardstown over five years ago.

The State Pathologist has today told a murder trial that she found 50 gunshot pellet holes in the body of a 22-year-old Dublin man, who was shot near his Blanchardstown home more five years ago.

CHAMPIONS Corofin laid down a firm marker at the weekend that they are driven in their quest to become the first Galway club in 50 years to complete three county senior football titles in a row.

Rival airlines Ryanair and Aer Lingus launched a holiday war today as both revealed competing summer schedules.

Galway and Mayo will meet in the FBD League final on February 20 after wins over GMIT and Roscommon respectively this afternoon.