British Airways is threatening to pull most of its aircraft from London City airport after fears that new owners could raise airline charges to cover the costly £2 billion price tag.
The airport, popular with business travellers for its location close to Canary Wharf, is currently up for sale with a number of interested parties reportedly ready to make bids.
However, Willie Walsh CEO of BA parent company IAG told The Financial Times its margins would not support any increase in landing charges.
“If the owners succeed in selling this for 2 billion pounds, we cannot see how a buyer will be able to recover or make any return on that investment unless they make a significant increase in airport charges," said Walsh.
“We will not stay in London City at the levels we are today if these charges increase. Quite honestly the margins we make at London City would not support any increase in charges,” he added.
Walsh admitted he had concerns over the £2 billion cost for London City, which was put up for sale by owners Global Infrastructure Partners in August.
British Airways is the largest airline at London City with around two-thirds of traffic made up by business travellers.
London City declined to comment.