Walsh (IAG) is "very optimistic" about American Airlines, despite its losses

Willie Walsh, CEO of International Airlines Group (IAG), said at the ABTA Convention in Palma that he is "very optimistic" and feels no concern about his relationship with American Airlines, although the company lost yesterday 33% of its market value due to rumours of bankruptcy. Walsh added that "we must realize that 'Chapter Eleven' is a business opportunity in the United States."

Regarding the possibility of a merger between IAG group (formed by British Airways and Iberia) and American Airlines, the European consortium's CEO pointed that "in the next ten years it will be possible to create a truly global airline"and that "many carriers will be interested" in it.

"If Lufthansa decides to sell BMI, we are definitely interested," is all what Willie Walsh has explained after being questioned about whether the airline that IAG has already bought six slots from at Heathrow is still on the list of possible purchases.

Excessive taxes on aviation in theUnited Kingdom

Walsh believes that the UKis being the 'laughing stock' around the world because of Air Passenger Duty. "The tax is damaging our economy", he has said. Therefore, he’s going to campaign against the tax saying “get rid of it, not reduce it”.  With these words, the managing director of IAG has won the applause of the nearly 800 participants at the convention of British Travel Agents ABTA members of which takes place in Mallorca.