Aer Lingus chief executive to leave - reports

DUBLIN: The chief executive of Aer Lingus, Dermot Mannion, is preparing to leave the Irish airline, The Sunday Business Post reported.

The newspaper quoted sources as saying the parting was "amicable" and the former state airline will begin an immediate search for a successor.

The Irish Mail on Sunday newspaper also reported Mannion was set to leave.

A spokeswoman for the airline declined to comment.

Mannion has fought off two takeover bids from rival Ryanair since taking over as chief executive in 2005 and the airline has said it was unlikely to make a pre-tax profit this year due to stiff competition and recession.

He was hit by controversy earlier this year when it was revealed his contract had been changed to ensure him a payment of up to 2.8 million euros ($3.74 million) if Aer Lingus was taken over.