Aer Lingus has named Stephen Kavanagh as its new Chief Executive Officer.

He will take up the position, as well as that of an executive director of the company, from March 1st.

Mr Kavanagh, a graduate of University College Dublin, joined Aer Lingus in 1988.

He has held a number of roles in operational and commercial departments of the airline, and was appointed as an executive in 2006.

He was also part of the Initial Public Offering team that brought Aer Lingus to market that year. His most recent role was as chief strategy and planning officer.

The current CEO and executive director, Christoph Mueller, will step down on February 28th.

Aer Lingus chairman Colm Barrington said: "I am particularly pleased that it has been possible and appropriate for an internal Aer Lingus executive to succeed to the position of CEO."

"Stephen has been a key member of the executive team that, over the last five years, has transformed Aer Lingus into a strong, profitable airline with a resilient business model and an improved cost base," he added.

It comes amid uncertain times for the carrier, as Aer Lingus directors say there is a "compelling commercial logic" to allowing International Airlines Group (IAG) to buy the airline.

It says the takeover would help to create jobs, enhance Ireland's connectivity to the outside world and develop Ireland as a hub for travel between Europe and America.

The directors say they would favour the takeover being proposed by IAG, but they are not in a position to recommend it because a formal bid has not yet been made.

The transport minister has said the IAG proposal to buy Aer Lingus remains under consideration by the government.