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Tags :Executive News & Appointments, Aer Arann
The Chairman of Aer Arann, Padraig O’Ceidigh, has announced the appointment of Paul Schütz as the airline’s Chief Executive Designate. He will take over as Chief Executive on 01-Jan-09, and on the same day Aer Arann’s current CEO, Garry Cullen, will become a non executive Board Director.
Paul Schütz joined Aer Arann in 2006 as Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary He has more than 18 years experience in the airline industry including senior finance and general management roles. He is a Management Accountant and a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
Padraig O’Ceidigh.said, “These are excellent appointments for Aer Arann because they offer both a smooth transition period and high levels of continuity as we continue with our development plans”,
“We have known for some time that Garry was due to retire”, he continued, “and it was important for us to retain his expertise on the Board and to appoint a new CEO with the experience, ability and drive that will allow Aer Arann to build on our success as Europe’s fastest growing regional airline”.
Paul Schütz began his airline industry career with Ryanair before moving to British Airways as Finance Analyst. He went on to become Director of Finance and Administration in Virgin Express and then moved to BWIA West Indies Airways initially as Chief Financial Officer and later becoming Joint General Manager. He later joined Eirjet as Managing Director in 2004 before he was recruited to join Aer Arann two years later.
Reacting to his appointment Paul Schütz said he was looking forward to “leading Aer Arann’s team of talented and committed airline professionals”.
He said, “There is no doubt that these are challenging times for the airline industry globally”, , “but I believe we have both the right fleet and route network to allow us to face those challenges by building on our direct access business model”.
“Our new ATR-72 aircraft are highly fuel efficient”, he continued, “and as more join the fleet they will increase our ability to compete effectively while maintaining superior levels of customer service”.
Both Padraig O’Ceidigh and Paul Schütz praised outgoing Chief Executive Garry Cullen for his outstanding contribution to Aer Arann and to the Irish airline industry.
“It was a major coup for Aer Arann when Garry agreed to join us as CEO almost three years ago”, said Padraig O’Ceidigh. “His experience as a senior airline executive over many years, including those as Chief Executive of both Aer Lingus and LIAT in the Caribbean, was invaluable as we developed our route network and built an airline that could compete successfully in the European market”.
“Personally, I am delighted that Garry has accepted our invitation to join the board of Aer Arann”, he continued, “and the fact that his knowledge and experience will continue to be available to us augurs very well for the future”.
Reacting to the appointment of Paul Schütz as his successor Garry Cullen commended the Board for their vision in appointing a “chief executive with talent and ambition coupled with an obvious commitment to Aer Arann and a strong desire to lead its development as a leading European regional carrier”.
Following the appointments by the Board of Aer Arann Garry Cullen and Paul Schütz will work together as Chief Executive and Chief Executive Designate for a transition period up to the end of 2008. Paul Schütz will retain his responsibilities as Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary during this period.
(c) Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation. Date posted: 11-Aug-08
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Aer Arann appoints new Chief Executive Designate 
