British Airways Owner Hasn't Quite Given Up Hope on Landing Norwegian


Skift Take

Willie Walsh loves a deal and it sounds like he is still keen. If Norwegian can sort out a cash injection, then a potential acquisition is even more attractive.
The CEO of airline group IAG is hinting there is still a chance it could buy low-cost long-haul rival Norwegian. Speaking after IAG's third quarter results, Wille Walsh said although there was nothing new to report, IAG would likely retain a minority shareholding in the airline until around August 2019, which it would then sell if it could not agree a deal. "It's not going to continue forever...if we haven't concluded arrangements by, certainly, by August of next year, and probably before, we won’t have those shares," Walsh said. The fact that IAG has kept its small stake, and with Walsh still talking about a potential deal, means that an acquisition is still a real possibility.