British Airways has criticised Heathrow owner BAA for allowing
George Bush to fly into the UK’s biggest airport, forcing the
cancellation of at least 69 flights and disrupting the travel plans of
40,000 passengers.Willie Walsh, BA chief executive, said he was
angry that the presidential entourage, which included two Boeing 747
jets and four helicopters, caused chaos 10 days ago as runways were
closed and planes grounded. “The decision to allow President Bush and
his fleet of aircraft to fly into Heathrow rather than a military base
was one all of Heathrow’s users could have done without,” he said. “I
am also angry that this was allowed.”Walsh said the disruption
began two days before the president’s visit on June 15 and lasted for
the two days that his party stayed in the UK. Heathrow was reduced to
one working runway for 30 minutes on June 15 and 16, after its other
runway was closed temporarily for the arrival and departure of Air
Force One.