Tag Archives: Willy Walsh

BA names first Dreamliner routes

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BA names first Dreamliner routes

By Phil Davies

BA names first Dreamliner routesBritish Airways is to start new Boeing 787 Dreamliner services to Toronto and Newark after receiving the first in a fleet of the new generation aircraft.

The Toronto service is due to start from Heathrow on September 1 replacing 767s and 747s on the route followed by Newark, currently served by 767s and 777s, on October 1.

The airline’s first 787 touched down at Heathrow yesterday following Thomson Airways becoming the first UK carrier to take delivery of the 787 earlier in the month.

The aircraft was welcomed to Heathrow by Willie Walsh, chief executive of BA parent company International Airlines Group.

He said: “The 787 is a tremendous, innovative aircraft which sets new standards for environmental performance and operating efficiency and I’m sure British Airways’ customers will love it,” said Walsh.

“The 787 will become a mainstay of the British Airways fleet over the next few years.”

BA will configure the 787 with 214 seats – 35 in Club World, 25 in World Traveller Plus and 154 in the World Traveller cabin.

The aircraft is the first of 24 Dreamliners BA has on order. Additionally, IAG recently announced that it will convert 18 options to firm orders for BA, subject to shareholder agreement.

Twelve of these will be extended range 787-10s, meaning that BA will operate the entire 787 family – the 787-8, 787-9 and 787-10.

Boeing vice president of European sales Todd Nelp said: “The delivery of the first of BA’s 787s is an exciting milestone for Boeing and British Airways.

“The 787 is the most technologically advanced and fuel-efficient commercial jetliner in its class. Its improved lighting, bigger windows, larger overhead bins, lower cabin altitude and cleaner cabin air will offer BA’s passengers an unparalleled flying experience.”

BA parent agrees €355 million bid for BMI

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BA parent agrees €355 million bid for BMI

Nov 04, 2011 08:30AM GMT

BA parent agrees €355 million bid for BMI

British Airways/Iberia parent company International Airlines Group has agreed to buy loss-making Heathrow rival BMI from Lufthansa.

The deal, which will be seen as a major coup for IAG chief executive Willie Walsh, is expected to be completed early next year. Today’s announcement will come as a major blow to Virgin Atlantic which faces being further marginalised at the London hub.

BMI controls 9% of valuable take-off and landing slots at Heathrow, which is now operating at full capacity after plans to build a third runway were scrapped.

But the deal with IAG is likely to attract a competition probe over potential dominance of slots at Heathrow. BMI has 300 flights a week operating from Heathrow and recently sold six sets of slots to BA.

“It gives BA the opportunity to grow in the UK,” said Walsh, who admitted that the deal, reported to be worth €355 million, had yet to be finalised.

Walsh said the deal will mean IAG will have around half of the slots at Heathrow but this is still less than Lufthansa at Frankfurt and Air France/KLM has at Paris. The takeover of BMI will enable BA to expand its long-haul network.

Virgin Atlantic said: “British Airways’ hold over Heathrow is already too dominant and we are very concerned – as the competition authorities should also be – that BA’s purchase of BMI would be disastrous for consumer choice and competition.”

Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme this morning Walsh ruled out a bid for ailing Italian carrier Alitalia.

IAG said: “The sale and closing of the deal remain subject to conditions including a binding purchase agreement, further due diligence and regulatory clearances. It is envisaged that the purchase agreement will be signed in the coming weeks and the aim is for the transaction to be completed in the first quarter of 2012.”

BMI reported a loss of €154 million in the first nine months of 2011.

Walsh denies IAG interest in Aer Lingus

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Walsh denies IAG interest in Aer Lingus

Sep 19, 2011 14:40PM GMT

International Airlines Group boss Willie Walsh has confirmed an interest in both BMI and TAP Air Portugal but has ruled out a bid for Aer Lingus.

He said he wanted to create £400 million in “synergies” within five years at British Airways and Iberia parent IAG through cost savings and new revenues and wanted to turn the company into a “multinational, multibrand” similar to other sectors.

But Walsh said he was not interested in Aer Lingus because of its £350 million pension deficit. Speculation that IAG may swoop for Aer Lingus emerged last week when both its main shareholders, including Ryanair, signalled their willingness to sell.

Speaking at the London Irish Business Society in London, Walsh said IAG was in acquisition mode,The Guardian reported.

But he said it was not going to be “rushed” or “driven by predetermined deadlines” but “by getting the right airlines at the right time for IAG. We’ve made no secret of our interest in BMI and no secret in the merit of looking at TAP.”

Walsh also attacked the Government’s decision not to go ahead with a third runway at Heathrow because of environmental concerns as “laughable” when countries such as China were building many new airports.