British Airways announces new CEO

March 8, 2005

The British national airline, British Airways has announced that the former CEO of Aer Lingus, is to be their new CEO. Mr Walsh is to replace the current CEO, Australian-born in September after his retirement.

Willie Walsh started as a cadet for Aer Lingus at the age of 17, later becoming a captain of the airline. In 1998, he became the chief-executive of the airline's charter subsidiary Furtura, and later in 2000 chief finance officer. In the wake of 11th September 2001, he became the chief-executive of Aer Lingus, itself. Worried about what happened to and, he looked at the rival Irish airline Ryanair for inspiration and made Aer Lingus in effect a , such as replacing the infamous turquoise uniforms with polo shirts and promoting via the Internet.