"Aer Lingus has stayed out of all the big alliances; it cannot do that forever. It's been squeezed by the big carriers." Speaking on Newstalk's 'Breakfast' show he warned: "The Government have to be careful that they're not completely disrespectful to IAG and the offer that's on the table. I don't think they're going about this in a professional and competent way." It also emerged yesterday that the chief executive of the Dublin-based CityJet Christine Ourmieres-Widener is stepping down. In a statement, the airline said she oversaw "the organisation positively reshaped, with strong shareholders, improved financial position with a new board and management team in place".