Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Willie Walsh is earning a massive €7.9 million a year with IAG

The airline group’s chief executive has seen his salary increase by 500% since 2012

BA service to Las Vegas launch PA Archive / Press Association Images PA Archive / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

THE IRISH GOVERNMENT may have rebuffed International Airlines Group’s (IAG) latest offer for Aer Lingus but when it comes to his personal finances things are still looking pretty rosy for chief executive Willie Walsh.

The Dublin native and ex-Aer Lingus boss has seen his salary increase five-fold over the last two years from a mere €1.3 million in 2012 to an enormous €7.9 million for the year just ended.

WW salary IAG IAG

During that time Walsh’s base salary has remained relatively static at just over €1 million.

The huge increases being seen are a result of an annual incentive award of €2.1 million (a performance-related bonus) and a whopping €4.5 million in long-term incentive vesting (a reward based on the appreciation of IAG’s share price since 2012).

It’s a simple enough conclusion that Walsh’s paymasters are pretty happy with the job he’s doing.  Still though, nice money if you can get it.
http://giphy.com/gifs/money-swimming-diving-n59dQcO9yaaaY

IAG’s fortunes have gone from strength to strength since Walsh took over as chief executive in 2011.

IAG was formed initially by the merger of British Airways and the struggling Iberia Airlines in December 2009.  Since the initial merger Iberia’s fortunes have been turned around significantly after a wholesale restructuring programme under Walsh’s stewardship.

Aer Lingus still remains very much on the agenda for IAG it seems with Walsh quoted in the results statement as saying “being part of the (IAG) group would, we believe, bring big benefits for both Aer Lingus and our shareholders.”

They (Aer Lingus) have made impressive progress and have built a particularly interesting transatlantic network, using Dublin as a hub.

Read: The potential sale of Aer Lingus is ‘high stakes, very serious and difficult’

Read: Inside hire: Aer Lingus has chosen a long-time employee as its new boss

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
67 Comments
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
    JournalTv
    News in 60 seconds