United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
British Airways axes 1,700 jobs
Tuesday, 07 Oct, 2009
0
British Airways is to cut 1,700 jobs and reduce the number of crew on flights in an attempt to reduce its losses.
The airline, which lost £401m pre-tax last year, will also introduce a two-year pay freeze. It said the changes were vital and it expected to report a significant loss for the second year running.
The move has prompted fears of a strike, because there has been no agreement with Unite, the union that represents 14,000 cabin crew. Any strike would be likely to co-incide with Christmas because of the necessary consultation period before any action can take place.
British Airways head of UK and Ireland sales Richard Tams is a panellist on the luxury travel forum at the ABTA Convention tomorrow and is expected to face questions on the issue.
The airline has claimed that 1,000 staff wish to take voluntary redundancy and another 3,000 will switch to part-time work, which together is the equivalent of 1,700 jobs.
The number of crew on BA’s 57 747 aircraft will reduce from 15 to 14 from November 16. BA said service levels would not fall because the customer services director (CSD) on each flight, who until now has had a supervisory role, will serve passengers. However, this could be seen as a demotion for CSDs.
Jeremy Skidmore
Walt Leger on New Orleans’ Resilience and Major Events Ahead
Cindy Mackin Shares Estes Park’s Winter Thrills
Mark Jaronski of Explore Georgia on FIFA World Cup 2026
Connecting Small Businesses to Global Tourism Markets: Nate Huff of Tourism Exchange
North Carolina’s Resilience: Wit Tuttell on Recovery and Tourism
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
BA suspending all Heathrow to Abu Dhabi flights
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Woman dies after going overboard in English Channel
Report: Cruise guest died after ship lashed in heavy storm
British teen in serious condition after paraglider collision