International Airlines Regulatory News (IAG)

IAG senior management changes

International Airlines Group (IAG) is today announcing changes to its senior management team with immediate effect.  

· Alex Cruz, British Airways chairman and chief executive, is to step down as chief executive and remain the airline's non-executive chairman.

· Sean Doyle, Aer Lingus chairman and chief executive, will become the new chief executive of British Airways and take over as chairman after a transition period.

· Fernando Candela, LEVEL chief executive, is joining the Group's management committee in a new role of chief transformation officer.

· At Aer Lingus, Donal Moriarty, currently the airline's chief corporate affairs officer, will become interim chief executive. A permanent appointment will be announced in due course.

Announcing the changes, IAG chief executive, Luis Gallego, said: "IAG has proved itself to be one of the world's leading airline groups with a portfolio of successful companies. We're navigating the worst crisis faced in our industry and I'm confident these internal promotions will ensure IAG is well placed to emerge in a strong position.

 "I want to thank Alex for all that he has done at British Airways. He worked tirelessly to modernise the airline in the years leading up to the celebration of its 100th anniversary. Since then, he has led the airline through a particularly demanding period and has secured restructuring agreements with the vast majority of employees.

 "Sean Doyle has extensive experience at British Airways having worked there for 20 years before moving to head Aer Lingus nearly two years ago where he has done an excellent job. I am confident that will continue at British Airways.

 "Fernando Candela, who has more than 25 years of experience in aviation and excelled at both Iberia Express and LEVEL, joins our management committee in the new chief transformation officer role. He will coordinate change across the Group, focusing on creating a company fit for a different future and ready to take advantage of new opportunities. In the short term, he will also remain chief executive of LEVEL until a replacement is appointed.

"As our new team comes together, we remain focused on making the right operational and strategic decisions for the long-term benefit of all IAG's stakeholders".

12 October 2020

Note to editors

Alex Cruz became British Airways chairman and chief executive in April 2016. He was previously chief executive of Vueling from 2009 when it merged with Clickair, an airline Alex founded in 2006. Alex began his career at American Airlines where he worked for 10 years before undertaking various management consultancy roles in the airline and travel industry.

 Sean Doyle joined British Airways in 1998 undertaking various financial, strategy, commercial and alliance roles for the airline culminating in his appointment to the airline's executive management committee in 2016 as director of network, fleet and alliances. Originally from Cork, he became Aer Lingus chief executive in January 2019.

 Fernando Candela became LEVEL chief executive in September 2019. He was previously chief executive of Iberia Express for six years and, before that, director of planning and management control at Air Nostrum.

 Donal Moriarty became Aer Lingus chief corporate affairs officer in November 2017. A qualified lawyer, he joined the airline in 2009 as its company secretary.