London City Airport sale could push leading carriers to leave

London City Airport’s sale to a Canadian-led group of investors at a steep premium received a cool reception from both its biggest user. Willie Walsh, CE of IAG, said Friday that a deal could wipe out already-thin margins. “We’re not going to be in a position where a new owner can just jack up prices and we’ll continue to do what we’ve done historically,” Walsh said. “If they do increase charges we will carry out our strategy and reduce capacity. If the routes to London City are not profitable, then we won’t go there.” While London City has increased its passenger tally by 50% in 5 years and is the closest terminal to the London’s financial centre, it’s a fraction the size of Britain’s leading hubs, faces opposition from leading politicians and is limited in its growth prospects by a runway that can’t take full-size jets. <br/>