He also conceded that BA executives had been aware of the problems before the facility’s chaotic debut and that it had been airline’s decision to press ahead with the opening despite the lack of employee training.

“My regret is we did compromise on the test programme,” he told MPs. “We did this with our eyes open. We knew it was a risk, it was a calculated risk, and it was a risk I decided to take.”

Brexit shockwaves

Like other UK airlines, BA’s owner IAG was rattled by the surprise vote to leave the EU in last June’s referendum.

Just hours after the referendum result, IAG shocked the City by warning investors that profits would not rise as much as expected. The pound’s slump against the euro after the vote has hurt the company because it generates most of its revenues in sterling but reports its results in the European currency.

IAG has since trimmed back its growth plans and in the months after the referendum reported that it had seen more muted demand from business travellers because of the uncertainty caused by Brexit.

Nevertheless, despite the turbulence caused by the Brexit vote and passengers’ disgruntlement with cut-backs, IAG’s finances remain robust.