Company Watch - British Airways.

Sep 24, 2007

A J Walter Leasing said it is taking delivery of the second of two Airbus A320s purchased from British Airways last year for parting out. The first was delivered last November. Sep 17, 2007

British Airways will end daily service between London Heathrow and Detroit effective March 30 after 50 years of operating the route. "It's just that the nature of Detroit has changed," spokesperson John Lampl said. He said the automotive industry, a major economic engine for the area, has become fragmented over the years. "They give us almost no business. The premium-class passenger is just not there anywhere. It's been the weakest [market] in the US for many years." British Airways officials said they did not expect to see an "upswing" in the Detroit area in the near future and that the aircraft used to serve the city could be better utilized in other US markets. Customers who have booked flights after March 30 will be contacted and offered alternative flights on BA or other carriers. Sep 20, 2007

British Airways CEO Willie Walsh spoke on Sept. 19 at the Aviation Club of the United Kingdom in London regarding the airline's new aircraft purchase: "It will be manufactured by Airbus or Boeing, or both!" He spoke about the environment too, pointing out that British Airways was the first airline to set public targets for fuel efficiency, almost a decade ago. "When we do announce our long haul order, you will see that environmental performance has been a key criterion in our deliberations." What he did make clear was that the order would be announced "before we are much older." Walsh also highlighted the recent resolution of the airline's [pounds sterling]2.1bn ($4.2bn) pension fund deficit and that it had been resolved without any moves whatever towards industrial action. Sep 20, 2007

British Airways is to make a much-anticipated decision on the renewal of its long-haul fleet within the next two weeks. Chief executive Willie Walsh disclosed the timeframe for the decision during a lunch hosted by the Aviation Club in London on Sept. 19. Walsh gave no clue as to the size or likely composition of any potential aircraft order by the Oneworld carrier. Acknowledging the keen interest, Walsh joked: [sup.3]Our order will be made up of either Boeing or Airbus, or Boeing and Airbus aircraft. The aircraft will have two decks, or one deck, or one and half decks.[sup.2] However, he did confirm that the aircraft would definitely have engines. British has been assessing the Boeing 777, 787 and Airbus A350 XWB as well as the A380 and Boeing 747-800. Sep 20, 2007

British Airways said it plans to increase the number of flights between London's Heathrow Airport and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport next March. Because of a new "Open Skies" aviation treaty between the U.S. and European Union that takes effect in March 2008, the airline said it will increase the number of Seattle-Heathrow flights from 10 to 13 per week next March. Sep 20, 2007

British Airways will add three flights a week between Orlando and London's Gatwick Airport, the airline announced Wednesday, continuing a flurry of international expansion at Orlando International Airport. Beginning March 30, Europe's third-largest airline will fly 10 nonstop flights a week between the two cities. The schedule will include twice-daily flights on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays and once-daily flights the rest of the week. Airport executives hailed the announcement as a development that will further strengthen ties between Orlando and the United Kingdom, its most important international market. Sep 20, 2007

British Airways in the summer of 2008 will expand its flight services between London's Heathrow Airport and various U.S. cities, though the carrier is temporarily suspending routes between Heathrow and Detroit, with the aircraft being used on other more lucrative routes. Sep 19, 2007

British Airways is looking to make massive savings through the extensive use of controversial parts manufacturer approved (PMA) replacement aircraft parts. Sep 17, 2007

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