Willie Walsh ponders Irish British Airways growth
Willie Walsh, chief executive of IAG, which also owns Iberia, said the firm could focus on growing its business from Spain or Ireland rather than London.
His comments come after the British government said a final decision on whether to build a new runway at Heathrow Airport has been put off until at least next summer.
Writing in the Daily Mail, Mr Walsh said: “We’re a small island, and this government looks set to make us even smaller on the world stage. Our leaders bestride the world saying the UK is open for business, but their actions do not match the rhetoric.
“If the government continues to dither over a new runway, then I’ll move my business elsewhere. We now have airlines in Dublin and Madrid, and can expand our business there, supporting the strengthening Irish and Spanish economies.
“This is not just fighting talk — we have the practical ability to expand elsewhere. This means Spain and Ireland will get the economic benefits and new jobs from our expansion plans, while the UK government twiddles its thumbs and watches as the world progresses around it.”
The Davies Commission concluded in July that a third runway at Heathrow was the best option. However, last week, the British government said any decision had been put off “subject to further consideration on environmental impacts and the best possible mitigation measures”.
