IAG’s Willie Walsh eyes slots of failed Monarch airline

IAG — the owner of Aer Lingus, British Airways, and Iberia — is interested in the London Gatwick slots of failed airline Monarch after it collapsed last week, IAG chief executive Willie Walsh said, adding that the reduction of capacity was good for the industry.

“With Monarch, I think everybody’s interested in slots at Gatwick, and that would be principally our interest as well... If we can get more slots at Gatwick, we’ll certainly be looking for more,” Mr Walsh said on the sidelines of the CAPA centre for aviation global summit. Norwegian Air Shuttle’s CEO said earlier in the week he may also be interested in the slots.

Monarch’s collapse could reduce capacity in Europe’s highly competitive airline sector.