City approves of Willie Walsh appointment

Travel and tourism shares suffered yesterday as London’s equity markets went into reverse. The FTSE 100 index dropped 16.3 points to end the day at 5010.9, while the FTSE 250 slipped back 31.4 points and closed at 7267.6. British Airways shares gained 4.5p to end the session at 281p as the City responded favourable to the announcement that Willie Walsh is to take over as chief executive. P&O suffered, dropping 18p on disappointing full-year results. Alpha Airports 102p DOWN 0.5p Avis Europe 60.5p UP 0.25p BAA 599.5p DOWN 2.5p British Airways 281p UP 4.5p CNG Travel Group 79p UP 1p Carnival 3005p DOWN 22p CenterParcs 72.5p DOWN 2p De Vere 545p DOWN 1.5p EasyJet 223.5p DOWN 1.5p ebookers 319.5p NO CHANGE EuroDisney 9p NO CHANGE Eurotunnel 16p DOWN 0.25p First Choice 175p UP 1p Hilton Group 299.75p DOWN 0.25p Holidaybreak 664p UP 5p Intercontinental 663p DOWN 1p Lastminute.com 104p UP 1.25p MyTravel 5.75p DOWN 0.125p P&O 301.5p DOWN 18p Rank Group 277.25p Up 3.75p Ryanair 412.25p DOWN 1.375p Stagecoach 113p NO CHANGE Report by Tim Gillett, News From Abroad Ltd