BA’s new chief leaves the dinosaurs behind

IT was with mixed emotions that I read of the appointment of Willie Walsh as CEO of British Airways (Irish Examiner, March 9).

On one hand I am proud that an Irishman has been chosen to take on this powerful role, but on the other hand I am frustrated at the loss of such a talent to Aer Lingus and the country.

The board of one of the world’s largest and most admired airlines concluded that Mr Walsh was the man to take their controls, yet Bertie Aherne and his fellow ‘socialists’ in the unions felt they knew better. Willie Walsh was ousted as a result of speculation and hype from vested interests in government and the unions.

All of this was ably assisted by a lapdog media with no investigation or verification of the trickle of ‘leaks’ at the time. We can only stand back now and watch as Aer Lingus is dragged back into the stable of semi-state dinosaurs and then chained down by the few whose interests appear to outweigh those of the many.

Jim Mullins

Cois Coilte

Gurteen

Inniscarra

Co Cork