German high flyer for Aer Lingus

Aer Lingus has been hit hard by the downturn in global travel

Aer Lingus has appointed Christoph Mueller as its new chief executive.

Dermot Mannion resigned in April, a month after the group reported a net loss of 108m euros for 2008.

The Irish airline instigated a series of cost-cutting measures as revenues at sank 16% in the first three months of this year compared with a year earlier.

Mr Mueller was formally aviation director at TUI Travel and has held senior management positions in a number of top European travel firms.

He will begin work at Aer Lingus on 1 October.

"The company has an internationally renowned brand and while there are many challenges ahead, I am excited about the medium term prospects for the business," he said.

Aer Lingus chairman Colm Barrington said Mr Mueller, 47, had a proven track record within the aviation industry.

"Christoph has the experience and the skill-set to lead the Aer Lingus team through what is an unprecedented operating environment and to make the changes that are required at Aer Lingus," he said.

Mr Mannion steered the airline out of state ownership, fended off two hostile take-over bids from Ryanair, developed long-haul services and controversially axed the Shannon to Heathrow service, bringing in a new hub at Belfast International Airport.

In January, Aer Lingus rejected the latest hostile takeover approach from Ryanair, saying it undervalued the company.