Bits from todays Irish Independant:
http://www.unison.ie/irish_independe...issue_id=13579
Walsh quit Aer Lingus in January 2005 to prevent accusations of conflict of interest when plans for a management buyout at the airline were torched by the Government. Two months later he was suddenly appointed to replace Rod Eddington as the chief executive of British Airways.
One of the key differences between running the semi-State Aer Lingus and stock market listed British Airways has been the change in the approach of the political community.
"The difference between politics running Aer Lingus and politics running British Airways is that here, you get the politicians asking what they can do for you and in Aer Lingus, it tended to be what can you do for them," he suggests. "I never experienced any direct political interference in how the airline was run. They may have expressed views but they didn't interfere."
Walsh is aiming to transform British Airways profitability, with a target of a 10 per cent operating margin, ahead of the airline's move to the Terminal 5 complex in Heathrow Airport. Despite rampant jet fuel prices, Walsh's arrival at BA has seen the company's share price hit a four-and-a-half-year high recently.
10 per cent operating margin is his goal, he's made his move against the managers, now the Pilots, the rest are next !!!
Interesting comment regarding UK politicians.