BA felt no political pressure in Airbus choice-CEO
LONDON, Sept 27 (Reuters) British Airways experienced no political pressure when choosing Airbus's A380 superjumbo over its traditional choice of Boeing's 747 jumbo, BA Chief Executive Willie Walsh said on Thursday.
BA earlier announced a plane order worth .2 billion at list prices, including 12 A380 planes from Airbus and 24 787 airliners from Boeing Co.
The airline said both aircraft types would be powered by Rolls-Royce engines.
''There
was
absolutely
none,''
Walsh
told
reporters
when
asked
whether
political
pressure
had
been
exerted.
''There
was
no
contact,
be
it
formal
or
informal.
The
decision
was
made
in
the
best
interest
of
British
Airways.
In
the
engines,
the
choice
of
Rolls
Royce
was
because
British
is
best.''
REUTERS
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