Vueling, the Spanish carrier in which the Willie Walsh-led International Airlines Group (IAG) recently acquired a controlling interest, has appointed Irish barrister, Niamh McCarthy, as a non-executive director to its board.

Rathmines native, McCarthy, has been head of competition and trade law for IAG since 2011. She was previously a member of the British Airways legal department, where she worked in private and competition law.

McCarthy is a graduate of Trinity College Dublin, where she obtained an LLB and MA. She also holds a master's degree from the College of Europe, Belgium.

In 1991, she was called to the Bar of England and Wales and since then has worked for the EU’s internal market directorate and law firms in France and Britain.

IAG, parent of British Airways and Iberia, along with Vueling, recently reported that it carried a total of 6.53 million passengers in June, up 29.4 per cent from last year's 5.05 million passengers.

The performance comprised British Airways, Iberia – including Iberia Express – and Vueling.

IAG took control of Vueling in April, almost six months after it made an initial offer for the group that the Spanish airline’s board rejected. Its second offer, which was €2.25 a-share higher than the original €7 bid, was accepted.