'It's inevitable that ultimately the high oil prices will be passed through to consumers in higher ticket prices.'
Willie Walsh said Heathrow Airport could have prepared better to welcome back passengers
"Flying will be more expensive for consumers, without doubt", he said, adding that the "high price of oil" will be "reflected in higher ticket prices".Oil prices were already rising as demand picked up again in economies that had started recovering from the Covid pandemic. "It's inevitable that ultimately the high oil prices will be passed through to consumers in higher ticket prices."Alongside ticket price rises, UK airline passengers have had to deal with flight cancellations amid major disruption at some airports, including at Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester.Image caption,But he said airports which "cannot cope" should adjust their schedules now, "so that they can accommodate as many people as possible".
Mr Walsh admitted that many of the issues affecting airlines and airports were caused by staffing problems, but said he had "no regrets" about making deep cuts to British Airways' headcount during the pandemic, when he was the boss of the airline.