BA boss always does the opposite of what O’Leary says

BRITISH AIRWAYS boss Willie Walsh has made his war of attrition with fellow aviation titan Michael O’Leary of Ryanair pay off handsomely.

Sharing a table at an aviation function in Britain, Mr Walsh and others present asked Mr O’Leary what the chances his horse winning the Gold Cup at Cheltenham were.

O’Leary’s response was succinct: “Not a hope.”

Mr Walsh was invited along with some of those who broke bread with Mr O’Leary on Gold Cup day. Conor O’Dwyer romped home aboard the Mouse Morris-trained War of Attrition, which came in at odds of 15-2. There was silence among the BA contingent but Mr Walsh had a broad smile on his face.

He told the IMI conference he has learned from his dealings with Mr O’Leary to do the opposite of what the Ryanair boss says. So Mr Walsh placed a £100 (€144) bet on the nag at 7-1 before the race, much to the chagrin of his fellow racegoers.

At the IMI’s national management conference he also disclosed that one of his most treasured possessions is a photograph of himself and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern taken at the IMI conference in 2005.

He explained, amid guffaws from many delegates, that he was unemployed at the time, having resigned as Aer Lingus chief executive and was getting ready to start work at BA.

Despite the laughter he repeatedly said he really treasures that photograph.

Mr Walsh will not be attending the annual IMI bash for some time as he had promised to keep coming to the event until Aer Lingus was privatised.