Standards at London Heathrow are lagging so far behind other European airports that they risk doing harm to the UK economy, it has been claimed.
Willie Walsh, chief executive of British Airways, said that overuse at the world’s busiest international airport was damaging the UK’s image abroad.
“I believe it is in the interest of the country that the reputation of Heathrow is restored on a lasting basis as quickly as possible,” he told the Institute of Directors conference in the British capital.
Walsh added: “For the sake of the UK economy and London’s place as a business capital, Heathrow has to catch up.”
The chief executive’s comments came a day after American Airlines slammed Heathrow Airport, branding it a “bit of a dump” and the “worst” of all the major European hubs.
They also follow on from the bungled launch of Terminal 5, which Walsh said had caused him “acute embarrassment”.
BA recently confirmed that its long-haul operations are not expected to transfer to the new terminal until the end of October – six months later than scheduled.
