British Airways hiring former Aer Lingus CEO

British Airways PLC chief executive Rod Eddington is stepping down and will be replaced by a former head of Irish carrier Aer Lingus, BA said on Tuesday.

One-time Aer Lingus CEO Willie Walsh left that airline in January following accusations from the Irish government that he had a conflict of interest, which he denied. BA said he will begin work as its chief executive-designate on May 3 and become CEO when Eddington, 55, retires at the end of September.

"Many commentators have rightly said that Rod Eddington will be a hard act to follow but I am completely confident that in Willie we have captured the very best person for the job," said BA chairman Martin Broughton.

Irish demanded in January that Walsh, 43, and two other Aer Lingus executives speed their planned resignations after newspapers reported they hoped to set up a new airline to compete with Aer Lingus. The executives left early, but Walsh denied he had a conflict of interest, saying that launching a rival business or joining a competitor after he left would be normal business practice.