BA ‘to favour Spain after Heathrow runway blocked’
11.06.10
The new Government's decision to block a third runway at Heathrow could prompt BA to concentrate its business in Madrid after its merger with Iberia, the airline's chief executive Willie Walsh said yesterday. He said BA / Iberia would focus on Spain if the issue of increased demand for flights was not addressed in Britain.
Mr Walsh told the Financial Times that this will mean the Spanish economy will benefit at the UK's expense. He said: ‘You've got a fantastic airport in Madrid that has excess capacity and we'll grow there. Growth is not going to go away. Growth will just leave the UK and go to other parts of Europe. BA will be able to access that growth because our assets are mobile and we can focus on developing Madrid rather than London.’
BA chairman Martin Broughton added: 'I feel more disappointed for the country than I do for BA. And, of course, with the Iberia deal, it means we can expand from Madrid-Barajas rather than Heathrow.'
The Government's decision to block plans for a third runway was welcomed by environmental campaigners and local residents, but the aviation industry is dismayed as demand for flights is expected to more than double between 2000 and 2030. The Government hopes the extra demand can be accommodated at regional airports and slots will be freed at Heathrow as domestic passengers switch to high speed rail links.
Add to: del.icio.us | Digg it | Newsvine | NowPublic | Reddit
To book heathrow airport hotel or heathrow airport car park at the lowest price, click on these links to two great heathrow airport car parking and heathrow airport hotel price comparison pages.
