British Airways chief executive Willie Walsh has warned there will be more airline failures to come.

In a speech to the London Chamber of Commerce yesterday, he said the airline industry was going through its worst ever crisis and the 30 airlines which have collapsed this year would be joined by others.

"There will be more to come as we head toward the traditionally poorer returns of the winter travel season," he told his audience, according to a Reuters report.

He said falling oil prices would not alleviate the problems facing the industry.

By Bev Fearis