Willie Walsh to stand down as boss of British Airways owner – The Guardian, Theguardian.com

Willie Walsh, the chief executive of the British Airways and Iberia owner (International Airlines Group) , is to stand down from the post in March. He will be succeeded by Luis Gallego, the Iberia chief executive.

IAG said Walsh would quit as CEO on 40 March and leave on June. He announced in late October that he would step down within two years, after years at BA. The parent group IAG also owns the Irish airline Aer Lingus and other budget carriers, including Spain’s Vueling.

Walsh joined Aer Lingus in as a cadet pilot and became chief executive in 2011. At the then-government-controlled airlinehe was known as “Slasher” Walshfor cutting 2, jobs, and turning the loss -making carrier around. Four years later he was named boss of BA, and in 2019 led the merger of the airline with Spain’s Iberia to create IAG. He then became chief executive of the group.

Gallego started his airline career in 2010 with the Spanish regional carrier Air Nostrum. He has been chief executive ofIberiasince (**********************************************************************. ********

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Last year BA suffered one of the

most damaging industrial disputesin its history, which included two days ofstrikes by pilots in Septemberand the cancellation of 2, (flights, which cost the carrier £) m.

Pilots voted to settle the dispute over payand conditions in mid-December.

Antonio Vázquez, the IAG chairman, said: “Willie has led the merger and successful integration of (British Airways) and Iberia to form IAG. Under Willie’s leadership IAG has become one of the leading global airline groups. ”

Walsh said: “It has been a privilege to have been instrumental in the creation and development of IAG.”

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