Aer Lingus Chief Executive Christoph Mueller will headline World Travel Market 2013’s Airline Programme. He will discuss how he has delivered strong and improved growth for the airline, despite its set of unique challenges, as part of the session: Airlines in transition: pushing the boundaries, facing the challenges, which takes place on Tuesday 5th November at 3.30pm in Platinum Suite 3 & 4.
The airline’s majority shareholder Ryanair wants to take over the company, which Mueller and his management team are against. Furthermore, Aer Lingus’ home market of Ireland is suffering severe economic problems.
Despite the challenging backdrop of the Irish economic problems and Ryanair’s attempts to take over the airline, Christoph Mueller – a former senior TUI executive – led the airline to a 2012 profit of €69.1 million with a record 10.8 million passengers.
He will explain how he has been able to lead the airline to such success despite the company’s macro challenges, while also discussing the wider aviation and travel industry issues, while also looking to the future.
He is part of a heavyweight panel that also features Air Malta Chief Executive Peter Davies and Icelandair Chief Executive Birkir Hólm Guðnason. The session will be chaired by WTM aviation expert John Strickland, Director of JLS Consulting, who has held senior positions in a number of airlines during his 30 years in the sector, including British Caledonian, British Airways, KLM and Buzz.
Simon Press, Reed Travel Exhibitions, Director, World Travel Market, said: “I am delighted Christoph will be sharing his success and challenges he faces with World Travel Market’s delegates. His experience in aviation and the wider travel industry will be a great insight, providing a must-attend session.
“Equally, the challenges Iceland’s Birkir experienced around the Volcanic Ash Cloud and the country’s financial problems will be great insight to WTM delegates.”
The Airline Programme takes place across Tuesday 5th – Thursday 7th November.
