British Airways (BA) Strike News

Questions are being asked about Flybe after the domestic carrier launched a negative marketing campaign targeting one of its own partners, British Airways. Europe’s biggest regional airline emailed thousands of customers, urging them to avoid “the hassle and worry” of flying with the flag carrier during the winter strike period. Cabin crew for BA have taken to the ballot box over changes to working conditions, but strike action is far from certain and many view Flybe’s campaign as opportunistic. “Make the right flight choice this December,” The Independent quoted the email as saying. “If you are thinking of travelling over the Christmas period, no doubt you have already heard about the potential industrial action proposed by British Airways cabin crew which could leave thousands of their passengers from the south-east stranded as they try to fly. “Flybe won’t leave you stranded this Christmas,” the email to passengers continued. “Flybe will continue to operate over the Christmas period. Others may not.” BA owns a 15 per cent stake in Flybe and the two carriers regularly sell seats on each other’s flights through code-share arrangements, making the campaign extra damaging. Never one to be left out of the limelight, Virgin Atlantic also chimed in by endorsing Flybe’s message while distancing itself from the negative marketing strategy. Spokesman Paul Charles told The Independent: “Passengers are naturally switching to other carriers. “We don’t need to waste our time and money on highlighting BA’s strike issues.”

Source: http://news.cheapflights.co.uk/2009/11/flybe-in-hot-water-after-targeting-its-own-partner.html

British Airways is scrapping six European routes from London Gatwick this winter. Flights to Alicante, Palma, Malta, Madrid, Barcelona and Krakow from Londons second airport will be dropped and the airline will only fly to Varna in Bulgaria from Gatwick during the summer. Pisa, Malaga and Gibraltar flights will move from Gatwick to Heathrow for winter 2009.Whilst BAs European network is being slimmed down, the winter schedule sees a significant increase in long-haul flights. The frequency of the Gatwick to Bermuda service will rise from five to six flights a week; Barbados from nine to ten a week and St Lucia and Port of Spain from three to five a week.These are in addition to the previously announced new winter routes from Heathrow to Las Vegas, Gatwick to Montego Bay in Jamaica; Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic; Male in the Maldives and Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt.

Source: http://news.flightmapping.com/09/06/24/ba-cuts-back-gatwick-flights-this-winter_2198.html

British Airways franchisee Loganair has said it will be cutting back its flights to the Scottish Islands this summer due to the rising cost of fuel. Loganair currently operates flights from Inverness to Campbeltown, Tiree, Barra, Benbecula, Lewis, Orkney and Shetland, but has not given details of which routes will be hit by the planned cuts. A spokesman for Loganair said: Given the economic climate and the dramatic rise in fuel prices, we have taken the decision to consolidate some of our less busy flights for a few weeks over the summer period.During July, August and September we will identify individual flights with low occupation rates and contact passengers who have bookings and re-accommodate them on another flight the same day.These minor changes will leave adequate frequency and capacity to meet the demands.

Source: http://news.flightmapping.com/08/06/19/loganair-to-cut-back-scottish-islands-flights_1808.html

British Airways will be the first airline offering scheduled flights to Beirut following the ceasefire in Lebanon. Beiruts Rafic Hariri International airport was forced to close on July 13 after it was targeted in an Israeli bombing raid. The runway was damaged in the attack, but the airports terminal buildings were not hit. BAs franchise partner British Mediterranean Airways (BMed), who ran eight weekly flights to Beirut before the airport was closed, are set to resume services between London Heathrow and the Lebanese capital early next week when the airport becomes fully operational again. They will initially offer four flights a week. BMED’s Chairman, Lord Hesketh, said: All of us at BMED are delighted to be at the forefront of getting Beirut back to business after the turmoil of recent weeks. Beirut is a very special destination for BMED. It is the route that launched our company in 1994 and since that time we have seen the service go from strength to strength. We are deeply committed to the Lebanese market. Lebanon is a country we hold in much affection and are proud to serve. The Foreign Office still advise against all travel to Lebanon and say the security situation remains uncertain. It is recommended that any British visitors to Lebanon register with the British Embassy and carry their passports with them at all times.

Source: http://news.flightmapping.com/06/08/17/ba-first-airline-back-to-beirut_911.html

British Airways has launched a new online service to highlight extra charges added to the price of no-frills flights compared with BAs full service operation.BA’s “Value Checker” allows consumers to see how much extra they have to pay the no-frills airlines for additional features including using a debit card, checking-in and priority boarding. All of these come with the price of a ticket on BA.BAs sales chief, Richard Tams, said: Its been well documented that some of the no-frills carriers charge for a range of extras that we consider to be part of our core service, from checking in a bag to food and drinks on board. Were just making these transparent for customers. On a round trip customers can be paying up to 375 on Ryanair and 79 on Easyjet for these extras in addition to their fare. The no frills carriers claim theyre always cheaper. Our calculator shows they are not.

Source: http://news.flightmapping.com/09/06/24/ba-highlights-extra-charges-of-no-frills-airlines_2196.html

British Airways is increasing its long-haul fuel surcharge for a second time this summer because of another surge in the price of oil. From June 13, the fuel surcharge on long-haul flights of less than nine hours will rise from 33 per sector (66 return) to 38 (76 return) and from 38 per sector to 43 (86 return) on flights longer than nine hours.The short-haul fuel surcharge remains unchanged at 8 per sector (16 return).Robert Boyle, British Airways commercial director, said: The cost of fuel has risen significantly in recent weeks. Unfortunately, we have little choice but to pass on some of this extra cost to our customers.The price of oil continues to be extremely volatile. Therefore, we believe the fuel surcharge continues to be the most transparent way for our customers to understand what they are paying and allows us to adjust the direct cost to our customers appropriately.

Source: http://news.flightmapping.com/07/06/11/ba-fuel-surcharge-increase_1310.html

British Airways will be the official airline of the 2012 London Olympics.BA joins other Tier One partners Lloyds TSB, EDF Energy and Adidas.BA chief executive, Willie Walsh, said: “British Airways is a natural partner for London 2012 and we are proud to become part of the team that makes the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games a success.”We supported London’s bid in 2005 and we will be proud to welcome the world to London when the global spotlight falls on the UK in 2012.”As part of the deal BA will provide flights for the British Olympics team to the Beijing Olympics later this year and the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

Source: http://news.flightmapping.com/08/02/05/ba-named-as-official-airline-of-london-olympics_1674.html