British Airways today announced changes to its route network following last week’s decision by the airline to operate a reduced flying programme.

Following the impact on demand of the tragic events in the USA, British Airways is to operate a reduced schedule to America and rationalise services to both long-haul and short-haul destinations.

The changes follow the announcement to withdraw a number of aircraft from service and will lead to a nine per cent reduction in capacity.

The route network changes are:

A reduction of one daily service from London Heathrow to both New York JFK and Boston, with five fewer flights a week to Washington.

The suspension of the daily London Gatwick-New York JFK service and a reduction in Gatwick services to San Diego and Houston.

Middle East services from Heathrow to Dubai, Bahrain, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Muscat, Jeddah and Kuwait reduced.

The continued suspension of the Heathrow-Islamabad service.

The withdrawal of the Heathrow-Belfast service.

The suspension of eight Gatwick services in Europe to Stockholm, Zurich, Gdansk, Shannon, Cork, Gothenburg, Rotterdam and Montpellier. There will also be a reduced service to other European destinations which will lead to 20 fewer flights a day from Gatwick.

The transfer of the Gatwick-Lyon service to Heathrow, with the Heathrow-Bologna service going to Gatwick. A reduction in Heathrow’s Brazil service to Sao Paulo/Rio De Janeiro.

The changes represent a total of 190 fewer scheduled services a week. In addition there will be the accelerated transfer of services from Gatwick to Heathrow, which include moving Accra, Baltimore, Dhahran, Entebbe, Nassau, Grand Cayman and Turks and Caicos.

David Spurlock, Director of Strategy for British Airways, said: “The current difficult market conditions demand we take firm action. Our focus has to be on making best use of our assets.

“We have transferred services from Gatwick to Heathrow where experience has shown us the prospects for future profitability are stronger. Duplication can also be reduced. However, we remain committed to our presence at Gatwick, which plays a key part in our network. We are maintaining our unrivalled network to US destinations, but cutting frequencies where appropriate in the current market conditions.
“This is the first phase of measures to address the changing conditions. We are reviewing the market and our network on a week-to-week basis and consequently will quickly address further issues as they arise in order to protect our business.”

——-