T5 disaster hits BA’s April figures
British Airways’ April passenger numbers were hit by the disastrous move to Terminal 5.
The airline’s passenger load factor fell 5.1 points versus April 2007 to 71.6%.
Comparisons were also affected because Easter did not fall in April this year and because school holidays were de-linked from the Easter period.
In a statement, BA said: “Market conditions are broadly unchanged with longhaul non-premium traffic showing significant weakness.
“In April some impact was felt, particularly on transfer traffic, from the move to Terminal 5 and the operational problems in the early part of the month.
“Operations in Terminal 5 continue to show improvement. A normal schedule has operated for more than three weeks and more than 1.4 million passengers have travelled through the terminal.
“Focus remains on ensuring the stability of the baggage system so that performance levels can be sustained. Operations in Terminals 1 and 4 are working well.”
By Bev Fearis
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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