Tag Archives: Willie Walsh

One of the most influential figures in world aviation, Willie Walsh, chief executive of International Airlines Group (IAG) will visit Shannon next Friday to give the keynote address at Shannon Chamber’s President’s lunch in Dromoland Castle Hotel. The event is being supported by GECAS in recognition of its 50th year legacy in aviation finance. Shannon Chamber’s chief executive Helen Downes said they were delighted, after much perseverance, to have secured the head of one of the leading airlines in the world, parent company of Aer Lingus and British Airways, plus Iberia and Vueling, to address their annual luncheon. “It is most appropriate, given the concentration of aviation companies in Shannon, and the fact that AG’s strategies and ambitions are particularly relevant to Shannon, that he has chosen to visit us at this time. “This is an event which has been most welcomed by our members and we are looking forward to hearing Mr Walsh’s views on future developments and trends …

WHEN Aer Lingus announced it was removing Heathrow slots from Shannon in 2007 it was a hugely controversial move, strongly opposed by business and political interests in Clare. At the time there was speculation that the move was being made due to a secret agreement hammered out by the Government, as part of the peace process. There was little explanation from the airline itself, beyond saying that it was a commercial decision, something that many in Clare didn’t accept given the relatively high numbers that were using it. However, when Willie Walsh came before the Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications last week he indicated that Aer Lingus took the decision because a competitor, presumably Ryanair, was being offered more favourable terms. Mr Walsh referred to the matter, saying it may be the reason for the current concern about connectivity. “I can understand the concern that has been expressed, particularly the concern expressed in Shannon because of what happened with …

ALREADY contentious, Shannon based Fine Gael Senator Tony Mulcahy has turned up the political heat regarding the potential sale of the State’s share in Aer Lingus, as he has vowed to resign the party whip if the Government does sell to IAG. He made his comments after IAG CEO Willie Walsh addressed the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport and Communications. Mr Walsh told the Committee that in the event of an IAG takeover, Shannon would get a five-year guarantee of Heathrow connectivity. However, after being quizzed by Senator Mulcahy, he acknowledged that he was not offering any guarantees around the preservation of the Aer Lingus services between Shannon and the US. While Mr Walsh did say that transatlantic services from Shannon have “huge potential” and that the numbers travelling on them are likely to increase in the summertime, this didn’t cut much ice with Senator Mulcahy. In a statement released shortly after the Committee sitting he said, “I cannot support …

SHANNON and Cork can have guarantees of Heathrow connectivity for five years if IAG buys the State’s share in Aer Lingus, its CEO Willie Walsh pledged at today’s meeting of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport and Communications. Clare political figures have expressed concern about the possibility of Shannon losing its vital connectivity to Heathrow in the event of a takeover, but Mr Walsh insisted that the guarantee he is offering is far better than what the airport actually has already. He also claimed that while the concern is at one level understandable, it is actually misplaced, given that the route is profitable. Indeed, he went so far as to say that the current Aer Lingus management could not match the IAG guarantee without drawing the ire of some of the shareholders. While he said IAG is happy to give the guarantees and that there is no reason to pull away from what is a profitable route, he stressed that he will not give …

This afternoon (Thursday), the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications will hear from Willie Walsh, CEO of International Airlines Group (IAG), on the potential sale of Aer Lingus. Chairman, John O’Mahony, said, “The committee welcomes the chance to hear directly from Willie Walsh on IAG’s bid for Aer Lingus. The possible sale of the state holding in Aer Lingus is an issue of great significance to the country. As such, we as a committee, have already held two meetings on the issue, at which we heard from numerous interest groups who would be impacted by the potential sale. “The meeting [with Mr Walsh] is a continuation of that process and the committee remains anxious to ensure that any decision taken by Government in relation to a potential takeover is based on securing the strategic interests of the country.”

Fr Des Hillery, a native of Miltown Malbay, has been elected as Administrator of the Diocese of Killaloe. This follows the installation of Archbishop Kieran O’Reilly as Archbishop of Cashel and Emly on Sunday last, when the Diocese of Killaloe officially became vacant. At a meeting of the College of Consultors of the Diocese Fr Hillery, who is parish priest in Nenagh, was elected to his new post. A diocesan administrator has responsibility for administering the day-to-day affairs of the diocese while a new bishop is awaited. On Wednesday evening, Fr Hillery, a member of a well-known West Clare family, said, “I am privileged to accept this new role and hope to continue the good work of Archbishop Kieran O’Reilly and Bishop Willie Walsh in encouraging us to respond to the challenges of the Gospel. I hope to do all that I can to facilitate the continued implementation of the Pastoral Plan for the Diocese of Killaloe, which recognises our …