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IAG said on Friday that Scottish independence could be good for their business, providing a boost to the campaign that wants Scotland to split from the United Kingdom.

After a flurry of companies this week raised potential risks from independence, IAG Chief Executive Willie Walsh said he was not worried about British Airway’s prospects if Scotland voted on September 18 to end a 307-year tie with England.

“‘If anything, it will be slightly positive, since we believe (an independent Scotland) will abolish air passenger duty because they recognise the huge impact that tax has on their economy,'” Walsh told BBC television.

The airline will initially offer the fares on flights from Gatwick to Amsterdam, Dubrovnik, Jersey, Tunis and Turin – will give its passengers “‘more choice’”, but they are likely to be viewed as an attempt to compete with low-cost airlines.

The announcement by BA – which axed free meals on some flights in 2009 in a bid to cut costs – follows KLM’s decision to begin charging customers who check in luggage on short-haul flights. KLM’s policy will be effective from April 22.

source: Telegraph.co.uk

A new British Airways program aimed at creating more personalized experience for customers has the airline in hot water with privacy advocates.

The airline recently started outfitting staff members with technology to help them recognize selected travelers, such as chief exectives of financial companies, without having to ask their name. The so-called “‘Know Me'” program involves Googling future fliers so that cabin crew members and staff at check-in desks and first-class lounges can “‘put a face to the name before the customer sets foot in the airport’.”

The airline has said it just wants to create a more efficient and personal experience for customers, but the move expectantly has privacy advocates up in arms.

British Airways is launching a social media campaign to encourage Britons living overseas to fly back for the London 2012 Olympics.

The “‘Home Advantage’” campaign targets friends and families of athletes and ex-pats and includes a competition to win flights and tickets to the Games to help boost home support.

The “‘Flying Britain Home’” promotion to win tickets for friends and family living abroad has begun on Facebook on Friday (1 June). Flights from 20 selected destinations around the world will be promoted with 12 tickets per flight to be given away.

source: marketingweek.co.uk

International Airlines Group, the parent group of British Airways, claims to have secured around 330 jobs after announcing a buyer for bmi Regional, the Aberdeen-based subsidiary of the airline it recently acquired.

IAG said it has signed a binding agreement to sell bmi Regional to a Scottish consortium, Sector Aviation Holdings, for £8m. The sale includes all bmi Regional’s fixed assets and long-term liabilities, including owned and operating lease aircraft. Bmi Regional operates scheduled services from seven English and Scottish airports as well as a handful of northern European destinations.

source: Guardian.co.uk

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The two airlines were named among Britain’s worst performing companies in a survey of call centre responses and waiting times.

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Customers contacting easyJet by phone can face a wait of up to 68 minutes, according to the study, making it the second worst company to feature.

EasyJet rejected the findings of the study, and claimed that 80 per cent of customers wait less than 60 seconds to speak to a member of staff.

Meanwhile, British Airways came third in the study’s league of “‘rudest call centres’”. It was criticised for cutting off customers who are waiting to speak to an operator.

source: telegraph.co.uk

Passengers face higher fares and reduced services between Scottish airports and London Heathrow if British Airways succeeds in taking over rivals BMI, Virgin Atlantic has claimed.

The airline made the claim as it lodged a formal complaint on the proposed merger to the European Commission.

It said passengers would be left with a “‘choice of one'” on flights between Aberdeen and Edinburgh and Heathrow.

source: BBC.co.uk

International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (IAG) said passenger traffic rose 7.2 percent last year as a surge in growth at British Airways made up for almost static demand at its Madrid-based Iberia division.

Traffic increased 10.6 percent at BA, while Iberia posted a gain of 0.1 percent, IAG said today in a statement. The U.K. unit accounted for almost 70 percent of total traffic, a measure of the number of passengers carried times the distance flown.

British Airways increased capacity 9.8 percent during the 12 months, with Iberia adding only 1.2 percent more seats.

source: Bloomberg.com

The owner of British Airways agreed to buy rival airline BMI in a deal which rivals claim will mean higher prices for flyers.

The deal will give BA owners International Airlines Group (IAG) more than half of the take-off and landing slots at Heathrow.

Virgin Atlantic said the airline would be able to use their ”monopoly power” to force up fares if the £172.5million takeover is completed.

source: Dailymail.co.uk

British Airways has launched a new digital magazine for members of its ‘Executive Club’ to celebrate the services relaunch.

Sporting a clean design and simple navigation ‘’The Club” is designed to be easily accessible to millions of Club members.

The Club is published by Cedar Communications, who already oversee BA’s inflight magazines ‘High Life’, ‘Business life’ and ‘First Life.’

source: thedrum.co.uk