Willie Walsh, the 43-year-old former pilot who steered Aer Lingus away from near bankruptcy, has been named as the new chief executive of British Airways.
Mr Walsh will take up his position as ceo designate in May and take over from Rod Eddington, the retiring ceo, in September.
Mr Eddington, a 55-year-old Australian who plans to return to his native country, has presided over severe cuts in costs and jobs at BA in the dark aftermath of 9/11. He, like his successor, has been credited with turning round the fortunes of his airline.
Announcing the appointment, BA chairman Martin Broughton said: "Many commentators have rightly said that Rod Eddington will be a hard act to follow, but I am completely confident that in Willie we have captured the very best person for the job."
It was generally known that Mr Eddington who has been in the post for five years, would leave this year and there has been much speculation in British newspapers as to who would succeed him. Mr Walsh's name figured but not as prominently as others.
But few expected an announcement on Mr Eddington's successor this quickly.
Willie Walsh joined Aer Lingus as a trainee pilot aged 17 in 1979. A rapid rise up the ladder saw him appointed ceo of Aer Lingus's charter business Futura in 1998.
He became Aer Lingus's chief operating officer in 2000 and ceo in 2001.
Before his resignation last year, Mr Walsh cost costs by 30% and based the airline's short haul operations on those of a low cost carrier.
He left the state-owned airline over disputes with the Irish government on its future direction.
Mr Broughton added: “Willie has an outstanding reputation in the airline industry around the world for the way in which he transformed the fortunes of Aer Lingus from a high-cost underperforming carrier into a successful and profitable entity.”
“At British Airways he will focus his efforts and energies on what our customer base demands, which are quality service and value for money.”