BRUSSELS, March 3 (Reuters) - The chief executive of British
Airways-owner IAG said the group was sticking with all
its aircraft orders, as he believes the slump in travel demand
due to coronavirus is temporary.
"We're committed to taking all of the aircraft that we've
ordered. This is a temporary issue so we're not going to do
anything that jeopardises the long term direction of the
business," CEO Willie Walsh told reporters on the sidelines of a
conference in Brussels.
Asked specifically about a delayed order for the long-range
version of the A321 passenger jet for its Irish Aer
Lingus airline, Walsh said he had hoped they would have already
arrived, but wasn't sure now when they would come.
"That's a good question," he said when asked. "The sooner we
get them, the better."
The aircraft are needed to help with a plan to turn Dublin
into a trans-Atlantic hub, he said.
(Reporting by Sarah Young; Editing by Alistair Smout)