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British Airways chief executive Alex Cruz has been shown the door as the airline struggles to cope with the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\nBritish Airways chief executive Alex Cruz has been shown the door as the airline struggles to cope with the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n
The carrier\u2019s parent company, IAG, announced that he has stepped down after four-and-a-half years in the role.<\/p>\n
He has been replaced by Sean Doyle, who is the boss of another IAG airline, Aer Lingus.<\/p>\n
Luis Gallego, who took over as IAG chief executive last month, said: \u201cWe\u2019re navigating the worst crisis faced in our industry and I\u2019m confident these internal promotions will ensure IAG is well placed to emerge in a strong position.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to thank Alex for all that he has done at British Airways. He worked tirelessly to modernize the airline in the years leading up to the celebration of its 100th anniversary.<\/p>\n
\u201cSince then, he has led the airline through a particularly demanding period and has secured restructuring agreements with the vast majority of employees.\u201d<\/p>\n
British Airways has come under fire in recent months for its handling of up to 12,000 job cuts.<\/p>\n
The company was accused of threatening a \u201cfire and rehire\u201d scheme whereby remaining employees would be rehired on downgraded terms and conditions if an agreement could not be reached.<\/p>\n
Trade union Unite claimed it has only carried out a \u201cpartial U-turn\u201d on the issue, with \u201cstill too many BA workers facing threats to their wages and working life\u201d.<\/p>\n
In June, the Commons\u2019 Transport Select Committee described the airline\u2019s treatment of its workers as \u201ca national disgrace\u201d.<\/p>\n
Last month, Mr. Cruz told the committee that the pandemic is \u201cthe worst crisis for BA\u201d and the airline is \u201cfighting for our own survival\u201d.<\/p>\n
He expressed regret over the job losses, but insisted he \u201ccannot ignore the situation\u201d.<\/p>\n
The pandemic has led to a collapse in demand for air travel, with passenger numbers not expected to return to 2019 levels until 2024.<\/p>\n
British Airways is operating around a quarter of its normal schedule.<\/p>\n
Mr. Doyle first joined British Airways in 1998 and carried out various financial, strategy and commercial roles, culminating in his appointment as director of network, fleet and alliances in 2016.<\/p>\n
Originally from Cork, Ireland, he became Aer Lingus chief executive in January 2019.<\/p>\n
Mr. Cruz will remain at British Airways as non-executive chairman for a transition period until Mr. Doyle also takes on that role.<\/p>\n
During his time as chief executive, British Airways launched a \u00a36.5 billion investment program which included buying new aircraft and upgrading cabins, lounges and catering.<\/p>\n
The airline recorded an operating profit before exceptional items of \u00a31.9 billion last year, but is burning through around \u00a320 million of cash every day due to the pandemic.<\/p>\n
Fernando Candela, chief executive of IAG\u2019s low-cost airline Level, is joining IAG\u2019s management committee in a new role of chief transformation officer.<\/p>\n
Donal Moriarty, currently chief corporate affairs officer at Aer Lingus, will become interim chief executive at the Irish airline.<\/p>\n