(Alliance News) - The boss of International Consolidated Airlines Group PLC said a deal was there to be done with striking pilots of unit British Airways, The Times reported on Friday.
IAG Chief Executive Willie Walsh said a deal between flag carrier BA and striking pilots was "there to be done" and that "I believe the parties will be capable of negotiating a settlement."
"I don't think anybody wants to see the dispute escalate or continue," Walsh added. "There is an incentive on both parties to resolve this issue."
The intervention comes after BA suffered the first strike in its history in early September amid disagreements over pay, with the airline being forced to cancel almost all flights during the industrial action. A further strike was called off by BALPA amid what it described as a time for "reflection."
Walsh added it was "frustrating" for him to not be able to be involved in the negotiations. This was a direct result of a management structure put in place by IAG towards its brands, which also include Irish and Spanish flag carriers Aer Lingus and Iberia.
The IAG boss added that he had been approached by the striking British Airline Pilots' Association - also known as BALPA - to get involved in negotiations, instead of BA CEO Alex Cruz.
"I think I understand their issues probably better because I used to be a pilot, so I can appreciate some of the concerns they have expressed better than people who have not been in that role," Walsh added. "I have sympathy for some of the issues that they raise. The frustrations they have raised are genuine. If I were there, I would probably want to address those."
The Times reported this may be perceived as a thinly-veiled criticism of manner that Cruz - an engineer by training - has handled the talks. Walsh had begun as a pilot at Aer Lingus before entering management at the firm.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ba-pay-deal-with-pilots-is-in-reach-says-willie-walsh-bm7lhpxt7?ni-statuscode=acsaz-307
Shares in IAG were 7.0% higher at 493.28 pence in London on Friday.
By Ahren Lester; ahrenlester@alliancenews.com
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