In the latest series of management changes circulating the aviation industry, IAG announced that British Airways‘ Alex Cruz will step down as CEO but will remain as the airline’s non-executive chairman. 

Cruz, who took the job in April 2016, will be replaced by Aer Lingus CEO Sean Doyle. The latter has spent the last 2 years as chief executive of the Irish flag carrier, and will transition as chairman, IAG noted. 

IAG’s CEO Luis Gallego, who joined the airline group last month, made the announcements. 

“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,” Gallego said. 

Doyle will be returning to British Airways where he spent 20 years before moving to Aer Lingus nearly two years ago. In the interim, Aer Lingus’ Donal Moriarty, currently the airline’s chief corporate affairs officer, will become CEO. IAG said that a permanent appointment will be announced in due course. 

Other management moves saw Fernando Candela, LEVEL’s CEO, joining IAG’s management committee as chief transformation officer.