Mr Walsh - who orchestrated the creation of International Airlines Group (IAG) through the merger of British Airways and Spanish carrier Iberia - will step down from the role and board of IAG on March 26 and retire on June 30.

The man known as Mexico’s “Grand Warlock” has debunked theories of doomsday in 2012 as “big fat lies”.

British Airways embarked on a new stock market journey today following its merger with Spanish rival Iberia.

British Airways (BA) and Iberia expect to merge by the end of next year after reaching agreement on the plan last night.