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IAG’s Willie Walsh: ‘We’ve conducted a risk analysis of a decision to leave the EU and don’t see any material risk to our business’


Many airlines unfazed by consequences of a Brexit


MAJOR AIRLINES AND CORPORATE TRAVEL FIRMS DOWNPLAY FEARS OF THE UK LEAVING THE EU. BY IAN TAYLOR


A British exit (Brexit) from the EU need not hurt the travel sector despite claims to the contrary from Ryanair and easyJet, say other carriers.


Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary called last week for “a resounding yes vote” to remain in the EU in the referendum on June 23, saying: “Ryanair will actively campaign for a yes.” EasyJet chief Carolyn McCall has also called for a yes vote.


78 travelweekly.co.uk 3 March 2016 However, Willie Walsh, chief


executive of British Airways’ parent IAG, said a Brexit would not affect the group. Unveiling IAG’s annual results,


Walsh said: “We’ve conducted a risk analysis of a decision to leave the EU and don’t see any material risk to our business.” His view chimed with those of


rival carriers, although there are fears that uncertainty leading


up to the referendum could hit demand for air travel. Lufthansa UK general manager Christian Schindler said: “We’ve seen already [what happened to] the exchange rate with the announcement of the referendum. If people are in waiting mode, it will have an effect. Everybody expects June to be a crazy month.” United Airlines UK managing


director Bob Schumacher agreed, saying: “We have the Euro 2016 [football tournament] and the referendum in June. It could take some demand out.”


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