The Business Travel market hosted the captains of the business travel and aviation industries with a presentation speech by the British Airwars CEO Willie Walsh.

Walsh addressed a crowd of 350 visitors, exhibitors, suppliers, and buyers at the event, which took place at ExCel, and told them that he had new found optimism and confidence in the industry.

Walsh thanked the delegation for staying loyal to BA and stated that the industry has many challenges and issues facing it, but that BA will still be committed to both short haul and long haul travel without sacrificing their transatlantic business.

He also said if the economic recession had not occurred the BA would have been able to continue with its expansion plans for the USA creating long haul routes from London to Boston, Chicago, and Washington DC.

Walsh also took a look at Middle East carriers praising Emirates for being a rational carrier but stating that there may be a need in the Middle East to decrease from three hubs to just two.  However, he said that he would not be after the third runway issue, instead looking at other access opportunities.

In reference to Unite and the strikes, Walks stated that there is a large difference between the views of the cabin crew and Unite and that if there is any further action it would be centred on getting the same level of success so that 100% of their long haul operations would continue as planned.

He stated over and over that now is the time to get the airline industry back onto schedule and stated it is possible even though there is a long road yet to take.

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