Aer Lingus trio ‘should be removed’

THE management trio running Aer Lingus should be removed immediately if reports that they are planning to form a rival airline are true, SIPTU has said.

But Transport Minister Martin Cullen appeared to remove himself from the issue last night, saying it was a matter for the board of the State company. Chief executive officer Willie Walsh, chief financial officer Brian Dunne and chief operations officer Séamus Kearney are due to depart Aer Lingus in May.

However, SIPTU believes they should go immediately if intending to establish an airline that would be in direct competition with Aer Lingus.

“These same people now are reportedly well on their way to setting up a rival company,” said the union’s Aer Lingus branch secretary, Christy McQuillan.

Acting Aer Lingus chairman John Sharman discussed the issue with the three executives yesterday.

Mr Sharman, an aviation finance specialist, who is executive director of London-based Spectrum Capital Ltd, could not be reached for comment last night. Aer Lingus did not respond to a request for a comment.

However, in a statement, Mr Cullen said that “a conflict of interest cannot, should not, and will not be allowed to arise between [the trio’s] current roles at Aer Lingus and their future career intentions.” But he added: “Within that clear context, decisions relating to their continuing roles at the company are a matter for the chairman and board of Aer Lingus.”

The three executives announced their resignations last November after withdrawing a controversial management buyout (MBO) proposal when it became clear the Government would not look upon it favourably.

According to reports, the trio plan to establish their own low-cost operation to serve the Irish, European and US markets once they leave in May.

The airline would have substantial support from investors and could be up and running by January 2006.