FTSE 100 news / Companies and sectors / International Airlines Group / 21 October 2026
International Airlines Group (IAG): news on Wednesday 21 October 2026
−4.8 negative
Coverage was dominated by a British Airways flight being intercepted by German fighter jets after a radio blackout, which drew alarmed headlines. A £4m Baileys slip lawsuit, a critical Telegraph opinion piece, a stranded passenger story and Middle East suspensions added to the negative lean, with only minor positives from recruitment and partnerships.
What drove it
- BA flight intercepted by jets
- £4m Baileys slip lawsuit
- Middle East disruption
The 23 stories
- −9.2 British Airways is a national disgrace. I’d rather use easyJet
Telegraph opinion attacking BA's reputation. - −7.5 British Airways left PhD scholar stranded at London airport after refusing boarding for Bengaluru flight;
BA accused of stranding passenger by refusing boarding. - −6.7 British Airways Heathrow Baileys Slip Case: £4 Million Disability Dispute
BA faces £4m disability lawsuit over Baileys slip. - −6.3 Panic as fighter jets intercept British Airways flight due to 'terror attack' fears
Panic reported as jets intercept BA flight. - −6.0 Fighter jets 'intercept packed BA flight' sparking terror fears after pilots failed to respond to air traffic controllers
Terror fears after BA pilots failed to respond. - −5.8 German Eurofighters Intercept British Airways Flight
BA flight intercepted by German jets, alarming incident. - −5.8 Aer Lingus Cancels All Flights To 5 Destinations: See Full List Now
Aer Lingus cancels all flights to five destinations. - −5.8 NATO fighter jets intercept British Airways flight due to 'terrorism' fears
NATO jets intercept BA flight over terrorism fears. - −5.7 NATO fighter jets rush to meet UK-bound British Airways plane after 'fail to respond'
Jets rush to BA plane after no response. - −5.5 NATO fighter jets scrambled to meet British Airways flight to London in mid-air
NATO jets meet BA flight mid-air. - −5.0 British Airways flight ‘intercepted’ by German Air Force after loss of radio
BA flight intercepted after loss of radio. - +5.0 BA launches menu collaboration with Hoppers restaurants to celebrate new route to Colombo
BA marks new Colombo route with menu collaboration. - −5.0 Why German fighter jets suddenly appeared off a British Airways plane's wing mid-flight
German fighter jets appeared beside BA plane. - −4.7 NATO jets shadow BA flight after half-hour radio blackout sparks alarm
NATO jets shadow BA flight after radio blackout. - −4.2 British Airways Pilots Denied Landing Clearance at London Heathrow
BA pilots denied landing clearance, operational incident. - +3.3 British Airways brings a touch of opera to Terminal 5 in celebration of its partnership with Wexford Festival Opera
BA opera partnership promotion at Terminal 5. - +3.3 British Airways opens applications for 200 early-career roles - how to apply
BA recruiting 200 early-career staff. - −3.3 British Airways Flight Status (October 2026): Middle East Suspensions and Resumption Dates
BA Middle East flight suspensions continue. - −3.3 Friend turns on businessman who is suing British Airways for £4m over slip that left him 'disabled'
BA sued for £4m, though friend undermines claimant. - −2.5 Saudi Arabia Flight Update: Lufthansa, BA, Etihad & Qatar Dates
BA among airlines with Saudi flight disruptions. - +1.7 Man who said Baileys slip left him disabled ‘is training to sail’
Claimant's credibility questioned in BA lawsuit, slightly helpful. - +0.8 British Airways Gold status includes lounge and booking perks
Consumer guide to BA loyalty perks, mildly positive. - −0.8 Ryanair, Aer Lingus and other airline passengers told when new baggage rules start
Aer Lingus among airlines facing new baggage rules, minor.
International Airlines Group: every day · Travel and leisure on 21 October 2026 · FTSE 100 overview for the day