British Airways News Page 95
BA pilots volunteer for pay cuts but strikes loom
Pilots at British Airways are to take voluntary pay cuts as the airline battles to stem record losses. However the airline could still be poised for a summer of strike action as ground staff vote six to one against a pay cutAt a meeting with the UK pilots union, Balpa, scheduled for this week, BA pilots will ballot on a range of cost-cutting procedures, which will include pay cuts across the board for all pilots, according to insiders.
BA threatens to close pension
British Airways has sparked controversy by admitting it could close its salary pension scheme to 100,000 existing members as part of a programme to stem record losses, and smooth the way for a merger with Iberia.Concerns over the pension liability on BA’s balance have been a major stumbling block in its all-share merger talks with Iberia. The Spanish airline has requested a adjustment mechanism to protect it from any increase in the deficit.
BA premium traffic continues slide
May passenger capacity for British Airways, measured in Available Seat Kilometres, was 5.3 percent below May 2008. Traffic, measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometres, fell by 6.5 per cent. This resulted in a passenger load factor decrease of 1.0 percent versus last year, to 75.1 percent. Traffic comprised a 17.2 percent decrease in premium traffic and a 4.2 percent fall in non-premium traffic.
BA starts Maldives and Sharm services
British Airways has announced its first ever flights to the Maldives, with the launch of three-times weekly services from Gatwick to Male from 25 October.The flag carrier is also launching services to Sharm El Sheikh on the same day, with the flights to be operated by three class Boeing 777 aircraft.
High costs drive record losses at BA
British Airways has reported the biggest loss since the company was privatised more than twenty years ago. The company reported a loss before tax of £401m for the year to 31 March, after seeing its results hit by a weak pound and higher fuel costs.
BA to launch Vegas flights
British Airways is to launch new services between London Heathrow and Las Vegas from October. The daily service will be operated by a three class Boeing 777 offering new Club World with fully flat beds.
BA flies Lions on Air Force Scrum
The official aircraft taking the British & Irish Lions team to South Africa for the impending Lions Tour has been named ‘Air Force Scrum’. In a competition run by British Airways, Dublin Trinity College student Dara Fahy came up with the winning name for the Boeing 747 taking the players, coaches and support staff to Johannesburg on Sunday 24 May.
BA reveals new Amenity BAg
Anya Hindmarch has unveiled a new in-flight amenity ‘BAg’ for First class customers on British Airways. The new bag is one of the first new introductions leading up to the long-awaited launch of BA’s new FIRST cabin later this year.
BA unveils Heathrow transfers service
British Airways is to provide complimentary black cabs and executive cars for premium customers to speed their ground journey to and from Heathrow airport.
BA ready to unveil new Heathrow lounge
British Airways will open a luxurious new lounge for premium passengers and top tier oneworld members at London Heathrow’s Terminal 3 next week.
US authorities order BA to submit top-secret documents
Merger talks between British Airways and American Airlines have been dealt a blow after US authorities ordered the British flag carrier to hand over a top-secret document detailing its inner workings.BA and AA earlier claimed they were not required to provide the US Department of Transportation with the data but have since been given two working days to cooperate.
APD to go ahead in latest budget
The UK Chancellor has hiked Air Passenger Duty in his latest budget, ignoring unified calls from industry heads to boost the country’s travel economy by abolishing the controversial tax.Among the most vocal was British Airways chief executive Willie Walsh who asked Alistair Darling to axe APD along similar lines to the Dutch.