Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Walsh and his colleague. Mr. Walsh has been CEO of BA and then IAG for the past ten years. During this time, what changes have there been in the regional airports out of which his airline operated on the north transatlantic routes? What has his model been in the airlines he has taken over, particularly in the UK over the years? Could he tell me the number of regional airports that were flying transatlantic and how many are now going through the London routes? Mr. Walsh spoke about the five-year commitment. He is answerable to a board and has referred to the best legal minds. The devil is in the detail. How can he give a legal commitment? Mr. Walsh has spoken about profitability, but it is relative. Two flights may go out of Heathrow, one more profitable than the other, but both profitable. What is the determining ingredient? In an interview with the Irish Independenton 16 October, Mr. Walsh said he still had no designs on Aer Lingus at this price despite its valuable slots at the congested Heathrow Airport. Little more than a month and a half later, he put in a bid for Aer Lingus.