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04/10/2005
BA chief looks for 'slim down'
British Airway's new Chief Executive Willie Walsh has said that the "drive for improvement in all aspects of British Airways' business must continue," as he took over the reins of the airline on Monday.
Mr Walsh, who has spent five months meeting customers and staff across the airline, told the BBC that he did not see a requirement for compulsory redundancies and said that he saw the chance to slim down through "natural attrition."
BA is currently contending with soaring operating costs on fuel price rises, and unions are concerned over jobs losses as BA seeks to trim around £300 million from the operating budget by 2008.
In a statement released on Monday, as he took over as Chief Executive, Mr Walsh said: "We have made tremendous progress in the last five years but I've been very impressed by the fact that everyone I've met at British Airways believes there is room for further improvement.
"All our customers are important to us and service will be at the heart of everything we do at British Airways. We must redouble our efforts to make this airline more efficient, more focused and better able to serve our customers."
He added: "British Airways has a renowned reputation for premium travel and my aim is to make sure that we deliver a world class experience for all."
Mr Walsh, who was formerly in charge of Irish airline Aer Lingus, praised the record of his predecessor Sir Rod Eddington, and stressed his determination to realise the goal of a 10% operating margin and a smooth relocation of the airline's Heathrow operations to Terminal 5 in 2008.
A commercial pilot for 18 years, Mr Walsh was appointed Aer Lingus Chief Executive in 2001, and is credited with turning the company's fortunes around over the next three years.
(SP/KMcA)
Mr Walsh, who has spent five months meeting customers and staff across the airline, told the BBC that he did not see a requirement for compulsory redundancies and said that he saw the chance to slim down through "natural attrition."
BA is currently contending with soaring operating costs on fuel price rises, and unions are concerned over jobs losses as BA seeks to trim around £300 million from the operating budget by 2008.
In a statement released on Monday, as he took over as Chief Executive, Mr Walsh said: "We have made tremendous progress in the last five years but I've been very impressed by the fact that everyone I've met at British Airways believes there is room for further improvement.
"All our customers are important to us and service will be at the heart of everything we do at British Airways. We must redouble our efforts to make this airline more efficient, more focused and better able to serve our customers."
He added: "British Airways has a renowned reputation for premium travel and my aim is to make sure that we deliver a world class experience for all."
Mr Walsh, who was formerly in charge of Irish airline Aer Lingus, praised the record of his predecessor Sir Rod Eddington, and stressed his determination to realise the goal of a 10% operating margin and a smooth relocation of the airline's Heathrow operations to Terminal 5 in 2008.
A commercial pilot for 18 years, Mr Walsh was appointed Aer Lingus Chief Executive in 2001, and is credited with turning the company's fortunes around over the next three years.
(SP/KMcA)
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21 October 2009
Aer Lingus Should Merge – But Not With Ryanair
A former Aer Lingus chief executive has said the future of the airline can only be secured if it merges with another airline – as long as that airline isn't Ryanair.
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05 July 2002
Low cost airline numbers continue to grow
Low-cost airline partners Easyjet and Go have announced increases in passenger numbers for the month of June. Easyjet said it carried 958,857 passengers, an increase of 51.5% compared with last year, and 6% higher than in May, while Go reported a 71.8% increase in passenger number to 550,749.
Low cost airline numbers continue to grow
Low-cost airline partners Easyjet and Go have announced increases in passenger numbers for the month of June. Easyjet said it carried 958,857 passengers, an increase of 51.5% compared with last year, and 6% higher than in May, while Go reported a 71.8% increase in passenger number to 550,749.
14 June 2002
bmi favour one-way fare system
bmi british midland has scrapped its traditional “full service” fares system and introduced a one-way fare structure. From Friday June 14 onwards, bmi will "move away" from the return fare structures and offer all passengers fares that can be booked on a one-way basis.
bmi favour one-way fare system
bmi british midland has scrapped its traditional “full service” fares system and introduced a one-way fare structure. From Friday June 14 onwards, bmi will "move away" from the return fare structures and offer all passengers fares that can be booked on a one-way basis.
19 March 2002
Airline sector exhibits first signs of recovery in traffic
Tentative signs of recovery in the airline sector have been bolstered by British Airways’ decision to restore part of its transatlantic services. From April, BA is to reinstate its transatlantic Concorde flights during the week, which will see Heathrow-US air traffic levels back to normal after the events of September 11.
Airline sector exhibits first signs of recovery in traffic
Tentative signs of recovery in the airline sector have been bolstered by British Airways’ decision to restore part of its transatlantic services. From April, BA is to reinstate its transatlantic Concorde flights during the week, which will see Heathrow-US air traffic levels back to normal after the events of September 11.
06 August 2001
British Airways perform to expectations
British Airways have announced a pre-tax profit of £40 million compared to a loss of £50 million in the same quarter last year, for the three months to June. The upsurge in profits was boosted by the £100 million profit British Airways made when it sold its no-frills airline Go in June this year.
British Airways perform to expectations
British Airways have announced a pre-tax profit of £40 million compared to a loss of £50 million in the same quarter last year, for the three months to June. The upsurge in profits was boosted by the £100 million profit British Airways made when it sold its no-frills airline Go in June this year.
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Rain clearing away east by early evening with some clear spells but a few showers likely to affect the North coast and other areas towards dawn, remaining breezy and mild overnight. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
