BRITISH AIRWAYS’ owner is spending £17billion on new jets — a day after Donald Trump teased Boeing would get a bumper British order under the US-UK trade deal.
The request for 32 Boeing 787-10 aircraft for BA was announced yesterday by International Consolidated Airlines Group.
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It has also made a separate order with Europe’s Airbus for 21 A330-900neo planes for its Aer Lingus, Iberia and Level carriers.
It came just a day after US Trade Secretary Howard Lutnick said the UK would be buying “$10billion (£7billion) worth of Boeing planes” alongside its trade deal.
IAG insiders yesterday said the order had been in the works for many months, rather than deliberately coordinated alongside the US-UK agreement.
The aircraft are expected to arrive between 2028 and 2033 but mark IAG’s first order for jets since the pandemic upended the travel industry.
It is also the biggest deal Boeing has struck since a string of safety scandals — including a door peg blowing off midflight — caused significant delays and supply chain issues.
IAG separately posted a 9.6 per cent rise in revenues during the first quarter to £7billion and swung back into the black with £176million of profits.
Boss Luis Gallego said it “marks a milestone in our strategy and transformation programme”.
Shares rose 2 per cent yesterday to 296.1p.
POWER GAFFE
TEN energy firms including Octopus, OVO and EDF have been ordered to pay back £7million to customers after overcharging them.
Ofgem said 34,000 customers who had more than one electricity meter would receive compensation.
Octopus, the UK’s biggest supplier, paid out £2.64million in refunds and made a £546,278 goodwill payment.
TRAVIS PERKIER
BUILDING materials group Travis Perkins has poached Gavin Slark to fill its vacant CEO position from rival construction company SIG.
Ex-boss Peter Redfern quit midway through a turnaround plan after just six months due to ill health.
Mr Slark will take over in 2026 but the news lifted shares in Travis Perkins by as much as 6 per cent.