BA owner says recovery of business travel will drive return to profit

IAG, the owner of British Airways, says: ‘We expect to be profitable from the second quarter onwards and for the full year.’ Photograph: Toby Melville/Reuters

British Airways’ owner has said a recovery in business travel and trips by wealthy passengers will drive a return to profitability this year.

International Airlines Group (IAG), which also owns Iberia and Aer Lingus, said that while Omicron had a short-term impact on bookings in January and February, the easing of coronavirus-related travel restrictions had improved travel demand in the first quarter, particularly in the UK.