Walsh to attend ABTA Convention
Agents will get their first opportunity to quiz British Airways’ boss Willie Walsh about his handling of the cabin crew dispute at this year’s ABTA Travel Convention.
The bullish chief executive has accepted an invitation to delivery the keynote address in Malta.
Afterwards he will answer questions from Convention moderator, TV newsreader Huw Edwards, who will also take questions from the floor.
ABTA chief executive Mark Tanzer said ”I am delighted that Willie Walsh has agreed to speak at The Travel Convention.
"The Convention now reaches out to a broad travel audience, and the opportunity to engage with one of the aviation industry’s highest profile business leaders will add a new dimension to the discussion and debate in Malta.
"There are many areas where British Airways shares challenges with the other parts of the travel industry, and I am sure that Mr Walsh will provide us with a very interesting perspective on common economic, regulatory and business issues”.
Walsh, who rarely talks at industry conventions, will also discuss BA’s planned merger with Iberia and the tri-lateral agreement with American Airlines.
He will provide insight on how the new International Airlines Group will compete with the Star and SkyTeam alliances and he’ll explain what effect the Iberia merger could have in the light of the constraints on aviation growth in the UK.
By Linsey McNeill
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026