Analysis: Willie Walsh worries for British business
Laura Kuenssberg
Former Business Editor
Willie Walsh, the boss of IAG - the huge airline company that owns British Airways - announced his company's results this morning.
They are perfectly respectable in a tough climate, not least because a big chunk of the business is the Spanish airline Iberia, which is feeling the pain of the Eurozone crisis.
As the banks prepare to pile into cheap credit today from the European central Bank, which has put a sticking plaster on the banks' problems, it is clear Mr Walsh thinks action taken so far is not nearly enough.
He told me he has been "shocked and surprised" by the lack of action from politicians, saying that it's about time they "showed some true leadership".
And while he said it is right that Ireland will hold a EU referendum there is "growing anger at other countries" there who are not being seen to be taking the pain. He believes the Irish people will 'inevitably' pass the referendum.
And for politicians in this country two equally tough messages. He says it is 'disgraceful' that this country doesn't have a sensible aviation policy, and that we need to recognise we will slip behind quickly. Dubai airport was number 99 in the world a decade ago, now it is number 4.
And on the controversy around high pay, Walsh said: "The comments from the government have been hysterical."
He added that some elements of "bonus culture have got out of control" but like other bosses he's worried about the messages ministers have sent to other countries by focusing on high pay.
He said: "Without question this has gone around the world...Other countries see this as an opportunity (to tempt business away from the UK)."
Walsh however was also careful to point out he has never taken a bonus when the firm he was working for has taken a loss. Perhaps if more top executives had followed that rule that debate would not have got so hot.