CNN 's Oliver Joy contributed to this report . BA CEO Richard Branson announced his surprise departure 2001 . Rejected suggestions that he was leaving the company over a pay dispute . The 60-year-old took the helm in next March , expanding from 747s to 40 long-haul craft . Declined to speculate on a successor : `` It 's too early to say ''
BA CEO Richard Branson announced his surprise departure 2001 . Rejected suggestions that he was leaving the company over a pay dispute . The 60-year-old took the helm in next March , expanding from 747s to 40 long-haul craft . Declined to speculate on a successor : `` It 's too early to say ''