Posts tagged British Airways
British Airways joins up with Comic Relief
Feb 8th
Announced today, British Airways has joined up with Comic Relief as its new global charity partner, to raise money for disadvantaged people and communities in the UK and across the poorest countries in the world.
Willie Walsh, Chief Executive of British Airways said: “I‚m proud to announce our new partnership with Comic Relief, which will expand and develop British Airways‚ role in helping some of the world‚s most vulnerable people.
Lenny Henry, Trustee of Comic Relief (and Comedian) said, “We are delighted to have British Airways on board as our new partner and hope to have lots of fun raising heaps of cash! Together we hope to bring lasting change to the lives of some of the poorest and most vulnerable people here in the UK and across the world.
British Airways are committed in helping people and communities in need, BA gave over ‚£5million to charitable causes in 2009 and support over 100 community conservation projects across the world.
They recently sent aid and a search and rescue team to Haiti to help those rescued from the earthquake.
British Airways fly to destinations worldwide from many major airports.
British Airways to merge with Iberia
Nov 13th
After 18 months of discussions British Airways (BA) is to merge with Spanish airliner, Iberia, creating the 3rd largest airliner in the world through a ‚£4.2bn deal.
BA will have a 55% stake of the new company with Willie Walsh taking the role of Chief Executive for the BA-Iberia brand, while Iberia‚s chief executive will be appointed chairman. The deal should be finalised before 2011.
The BBC reports, “It would create an airline with 419 aircraft flying to 205 separate destinations, and would save the two partners 400m euros ($594m; ‚£358m) in costs a year where there current relations are few and far between, Iberia will benefit from the African market where BA‚s presence is well documented.
Willie Walsh says about the deal, “The merger will create a strong European airline well able to compete in the 21st Century and both airlines will retain their brands and heritage while achieving significant synergies as a combined force.
Once the merger is complete the airline will be worth ‚£4.5billion, the second most valuable airliner behind Lufthansa, currently worth ‚£4.6billion.
British Airways cuts back
Jun 24th
British Airways has announced a reduction in its services of short haul destinations from Gatwick for winter 2009. Flights to Alicante, Palma, Malta, Madrid, Barcelona and Krakow will discontinue, flying only to Bulgaria (Varna) from London Gatwick during the summer months.
Alternatively flights to Pisa, Malaga and Gibraltar will fly from London Heathrow in winter instead of Gatwick. The number of flights per day from Heathrow to Barcelona will increase from 5 to 7 per day and Prague will also increase from 3 to 4 per day.
Flights from Gatwick will increase to long haul destinations:
‚ Barbados from 9 to 10 flights per day
‚ St Lucia from 3 to 5 flights per day
‚ Bermuda from 5 to 6 flights per day
‚ Port of Spain from 3 to 5 flights per day.
Richard Tams, Head of UK and Ireland sales for BA told TravelMole, “We have some exciting new routes in our winter schedule and extra services to popular sun spots like the Caribbean.
Increased competition from low-cost airlines such as easyJet and Aer Lingus to European destinations from Gatwick has been a factor in the decision to reduce the number of flights to Europe and increase long-haul options.
There will also be an increase in schedule flights to:
‚ Las Vegas (Gatwick)
‚ Montego Bay Jamaica (Heathrow)
‚ Male Maldives (Heathrow)
‚ Sharm el Sheikh Egypt (Heathrow)
‚ Innsbruck Austria (Heathrow).