At the largest Ryanair subsidiary, Malta Air, there will be a change in leadership on January 1, 2021: Lauda Europe boss David O'Brien will also take over the management of the sister company. He succeeds Diarmuid O'Conghaile, who will head the Irish Civil Aviation Administration, IAA.

David O'Brien will serve as CEO of both Malta Air and Lauda Europe, according to an employee circular signed by Group CEO Michael O'Leary. The General Manager justifies this with the fact that both carriers have their administration and management teams in Birkirkara (Malta). To be precise: the two carriers even share the same premises.

There are differences between Lauda Europe and Malta Air with regard to the extended management team and “middle management”. According to Michael O'Leary, the managers of both companies will report to David O'Brien in the future.