Mr Walsh, who reported strong first-half results at International Airlines Group (IAG), said the potential cost of changing flight paths is not factored into BA's decisions.



"It's simply a case that we look at whether it is safe to fly over an area or not," Mr Walsh told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.



IAG profits were boosted by Iberia, British Airways’ Spanish sister airline, which has finally flown back into profit after almost two years of painful restructuring that has claimed 4,500 jobs.