[citation needed] Ayling, a lawyer, began his career as a solicitor in private practice before joining the Department of Trade and Industry in 1974.
[3] A key policy of Ayling's time was reduction in operating costs to enable the airline to survive in the more competitive markets following de-regulation of the aviation industry.
[4] His policies, including setting up in 1998 of the low cost airline 'Go' with Barbara Cassani as CEO, drew intense hostility from the trade unions.
[5] Ayling re-introduced beds on long haul flights and was the main protagonist and promoter of BA's London Eye project for the Millennium.
[8] He was also appointed a non-executive Director of Holidaybreak Plc, the specialist holiday and activity group,[9] in February 2003, before becoming chairman in June 2003.