BA bosses under fire from pilots union
The main union representing pilots working for British Airways has accused the airline’s management of “taking the eye off the ballâ€.
The British Airline Pilots Association – in dispute with BA over the creation of its OpenSkies subsidiary – called on the Government to hold the airline’s bosses “to accountâ€.
In an open letter to City institutions and the Government, the union claimed that the problems surrounding the opening of Heathrow Terminal 5 were “symptomatic of BA’s loss of focus in delivering a sound operationâ€.
It went on: “This airline can and should make Britain proud but a fundamental change of attitude is required from the very highest levels of BA management.â€
BAPLA said it was with “great sorrow and acute embarrassment†that they have had to witness the “unhappy, distressing shambles†that the opening of T5 has become.
BA was accused of being a “laughing stock†due to a catalogue of woes, including lost baggage prior to the T5 opening.
The letter, from the union’s general secretary Jim McAuslan, said: “This month sees a massive increase in direct competition on BA’s most lucrative routes from the home base of Heathrow. Was also see consolidation in this industry on an unprecedented scale; consolidation in the likes of Air France and KLm that has yielded benefits from synergies of a level way beyond simple direct cost reduction.
“And BA’s response? Messing up its home base and dabbling with aircraft operating from Paris and London City to New York.â€
BALPA went on to claim that the country’s reputation had been harmed and support for a thirds runway at Heathrow had taken a “direct hit†as a result of the T5 problems.
By :Phil Davies
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Boy falls to death on cruise ship
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Woman dies after going overboard in English Channel