Skip to content
Go to Home Page
News

Willie Walsh to step down as chief executive of IAG, British Airways' parent company

Jan. 09, 2020
•
2 min read
File: IAG Chief Willie Walsh Who Made BA Owner A Global Giant To Retire
Willie Walsh to step down as chief executive of IAG, British Airways' parent company
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don’t cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.

Willie Walsh announced on Thursday that he will step down from his role as Chief Executive Officer of International Airlines Group (IAG) — one of the largest airline groups in the world and the owner of British Airways and Aer Lingus, among others. Walsh will step down from his roles on the board and as CEO as of March 26 before fully retiring on June 30.

Iberia's current Chief Executive Officer Luis Gallego will take over Walsh's role when he retires in June. Gallego has been at the helm of Iberia, one of three of IAG's Spanish airlines in addition to LEVEL and Vueling, since 2014. Gallego's successor has yet to be announced.

Walsh helped to lead the integration between British Airways and Iberia to form IAG. Since then, the group has grown to become one of the leading airline groups in the world. It now owns British Airways, Aer Lingus, Vueling, LEVEL and Iberia. It is set to acquire the Madrid-based Air Europa when the deal finalises in the second-half of 2020.

FILE: Willie Walsh, chief executive officer of British Airways Plc, poses for a photograph at Waterside, the company's headquarters in Harmondsworth, U.K., on Monday, Aug.16, 2010. IAG SA Chief Executive Officer Walsh is to retire after 15 years in charge of the airline group and predecessor British Airways, to be replaced by Luis Gallego, currently head of the groups Spanish Iberia arm. Walsh, 58, will stand down from the CEO role and the IAG board on March 26 and formally retire at the end of June, IAG said in a statement Thursday. Photographer: Jason Alden/Bloomberg via Getty Images
(Photo by Jason Alden/Bloomberg/Getty Images)

Walsh started out as an Aer Lingus cadet pilot in 1979. He then worked his way up through various roles, including time as CEO of Aer Lingus (2001-2005) and British Airways (2005-2011) before taking the lead at IAG in 2011 following the merger of British Airways and Iberia.

"It has been a privilege to have been instrumental in the creation and development of IAG", Walsh said. "I have had the pleasure of working with many exceptional people over the past 15 years at British Airways and at IAG".

Walsh announced in October that he would step down within two years.

Daily Newsletter
Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts
Featured image by Bloomberg via Getty Images

TPG featured card

Bilt Palladium Card

4 / 5
Go to review
Apply for Bilt Palladium Card
Apply now
for Bilt Palladium Card

at Bilt's secure site

Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.

Rewards rate
1XChoose to earn up to 1X points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee
2XEarn 2X points + the option to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday purchases
Intro offer
Open Intro bonus
50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status + $300 of Bilt Cash
Annual fee
$495
Regular APR
26.74 - 34.74% variable
Recommended credit
Open Credit score description
Good Credit, Excellent Credit

Pros

  • Choice to earn up to 1 Bilt Point per dollar spent on rent and mortgage payments
  • Elevated everyday earnings with both Bilt Points and the option to earn Bilt Cash
  • $400 Bilt Travel Portal hotel credit per year (up to $200 biannually)
  • $200 Bilt Cash annually
  • Priority Pass membership
  • No foreign transaction fees

Cons

  • Moderate annual fee
  • Designed primarily for members seeking a premium, all-in-one card
  • Earn points on housing with no transaction fee
  • Choose to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday spend. Use Bilt Cash to unlock point earnings on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee, up to 1X.
  • 2X points on everyday spend
  • $400 Bilt Travel Hotel credit. Applied twice a year, as $200 statement credits, for qualifying Bilt Travel Portal hotel bookings.
  • $200 Bilt Cash (awarded annually). At the end of each calendar year, any Bilt Cash balance over $100 will expire.
  • Welcome bonus (subject to approval): 50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status after spending $4,000 on everyday purchases in the first 90 days + $300 of Bilt Cash.
  • Priority Pass ($469/year value). See Guide to Benefits.
  • Bilt Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent and mortgage payments, Lyft rides, statement credits, student loan balances, a down payment on a home, and more.