BA boss Alex Cruz shown the door amid coronavirus crisis

British Airways chief executive Alex Cruz has been shown the door as the airline struggles to cope with the coronavirus pandemic.

The carrier’s parent company, IAG, announced that he has stepped down after four-and-a-half years in the role.

He has been replaced by Sean Doyle, who is the boss of another IAG airline, Aer Lingus.

Luis Gallego, who took over as IAG chief executive last month, said: “We’re navigating the worst crisis faced in our industry and I’m confident these internal promotions will ensure IAG is well placed to emerge in a strong position.

“I want to thank Alex for all that he has done at British Airways. He worked tirelessly to modernise the airline in the years leading up to the celebration of its 100th anniversary.

“Since then, he has led the airline through a particularly demanding period and has secured restructuring agreements with the vast majority of employees.”

British Airways has come under fire in recent months for its handling of up to 12,000 job cuts.

The company was accused of threatening a “fire and rehire” scheme whereby remaining employees would be rehired on downgraded terms and conditions if an agreement could not be reached.

Trade union Unite claimed it has only carried out a “partial U-turn” on the issue, with “still too many BA workers facing threats to their wages and working life”.

In June, the Commons’ Transport Select Committee described the airline’s treatment of its workers as “a national disgrace”.

Last month, Mr Cruz told the committee that the pandemic is “the worst crisis for BA” and the airline is “fighting for our own survival”.

He expressed regret over the job losses, but insisted he “cannot ignore the situation”.

The pandemic has led to a collapse in demand for air travel, with passenger numbers not expected to return to 2019 levels until 2024.

British Airways is operating around a quarter of its normal schedule.

Mr Doyle first joined British Airways in 1998 and carried out various financial, strategy and commercial roles, culminating in his appointment as director of network, fleet and alliances in 2016.

Originally from Cork, Ireland, he became Aer Lingus chief executive in January 2019.

Mr Cruz will remain at British Airways as non-executive chairman for a transition period until Mr Doyle also takes on that role.

During his time as chief executive, British Airways launched a £6.5 billion investment programme which included buying new aircraft and upgrading cabins, lounges and catering.

The airline recorded an operating profit before exceptional items of £1.9 billion last year, but is burning through around £20 million of cash every day due to the pandemic.

Brian Strutton, general secretary of pilots’ union Balpa, said: “Mr Cruz has been in the departure lounge for some time so this is no surprise. He was given a remit to cut costs and found it impossible to do that without alienating BA passengers and employees alike.”

He added: “I hope this heralds a new dawn which sees BA behaving like the proud flag carrier airline it should be.”

Nadine Houghton, national officer of the GMB union, said: “Alex Cruz presided over the worst attack on BA employees in the entire history of the company.

“He leaves behind a demoralised workforce during the greatest crisis the aviation industry has ever seen.

“Cruz is now the scapegoat for BA’s catastrophic threat of fire and rehire. His departure should be a stern warning for any other CEO believing it’s a tactic they can get away with lightly.”

Fernando Candela, chief executive of IAG’s low-cost airline Level, is joining IAG’s management committee in a new role of chief transformation officer.

Donal Moriarty, currently chief corporate affairs officer at Aer Lingus, will become interim chief executive at the Irish airline.