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Ryanair, Europe’s largest low fares airline, has criticised British Airways for increasing its fuel surcharge to £43 – its 9th increase since May 2004. Ryanair continues to guarantee no fuel surcharges ever.

Speaking today Ryanair’s Head of Communications, Peter Sherrard said:

“‘This is British Airways’ 9th fuel surcharge since May 2004. In that time the price of oil has doubled but British Airways’ fuel surcharge has increased 17 fold’.

“‘Ryanair guarantees the lowest fares and will never apply a fuel surcharge, not now, not ever'”.

source: Easier

British Airways has confirmed that a staff survey has revealed that less than half its workers think the airline offers passengers value for money.

The study in this week’s edition of the carrier’s staff newspaper found that only 49% agreed that travellers got a good deal for their ticket price.

source: BBC News

For the sake of its staff, its customers and its shareholders, it is time to take the British out of British Airways.

This defenestration is not intended as a punishment, but as a liberation. The airline, rebranded as BA and rebooted as a global carrier challenging for dominance in Europe, could finally unburden itself of its lingering tendency to expect more from Government than it gets, recast its relationship with the British people and refocus attention on the many things it is getting right.

For BA, under the leadership of Willie Walsh has been a success. Since he took over in 2005, the company has reduced debt levels to their lowest in nearly 20 years, halved the pension deficit, renegotiated working practices with the vast majority of staff ahead of the move to Terminal 5 and seen its share price rise by 66 per cent.

source: timesonline.co.uk

British Airways is in negotiations with private equity about a potential €5bn (£3.39bn) takeover offer for Iberia but has ruled out making a solo bid for the Spanish flag-carrier.

It is understood that Apax Partners is one of three private equity houses in talks with BA and is negotiating to bring Spain’s Gestair on board. In an announcement to the Stock Exchange yesterday, BA said it was considering how to use its 10 per cent stake holding in Iberia after US private equity house Texas Pacific Group (TPG) made an indicative offer of €3.60 a share for the carrier last month. This valued the Spanish airline, whose shares have doubled in the past six months on the expectation of further consolidation in the sector, at €3.4bn.

source: independent.co.uk

British Airways (BA) is considering forming a consortium to launch a takeover bid for Iberia, the Spanish flag-carrier in which it has a 10 per cent stake.

The British airline said this morning that it had held talks with a string of private equity companies over the possible creation of a bidding vehicle.

source: Times online

British Airways has shrugged off its recent difficulties to be named airline of the year for the first time in almost 20 years.

The company was also voted top airline in three other categories – best transatlantic airline, best Europe to Asia and Australasia carrier, and best airline based in western Europe in the Airline of the Year Awards organised by travel information company OAG.

Last month figures showed that BA had lost more bags in 2006 than any other major European carrier.

The airline was also the hardest hit by the counter-terrorist measures introduced for passengers’ luggage last August, which led to BA having to cancel hundreds of flights. And last Christmas, the carrier had to put up with thick fog which wrecked schedules at Heathrow.

source: Guardian

British Airways is to fly from Glasgow to London City, providing an important direct air link for businessmen between Glasgow’s growing financial services sector and the capital.

And with fares starting from just £39 one way, including all taxes and charges, it will also appeal to leisure passengers.

BA subsidiary BA CityFlyer will operate the route to the London Docklands aiport.

source: thisishertfordshire.co.uk

British Airways is to announce plans for major expansion at London City Airport today, according to reports.

The airline is set to increase flights to Edinburgh and Glasgow from the hub, as well as launch new routes to Zurich, Frankfurt, Milan and Madrid, reports the Evening Standard.

Industry sources told the newspaper that it is possible the carrier will launch a bid for Dutch airline VLM in order to extend its operations at London City Airport.

Peter Simpson, managing director of British Airways’ CityFlyer division, said that the airline fully intends to pursue growth at the airport both now and in the future.

source: Just The Flight

British Airways has lowered the cost of tickets on all Middle East routes and as Paul Starrs British Airways’ Commercial Manager, Middle East mentions “‘The tickets represent a substantial saving for  customers when comparing the prices with other airlines operating regionally. This sale will allow new customers to experience our renowned, industry-leading services at an appealingly low price.’”

The fares – which represent the lowest priced tickets the airline has put on the market since for five years – are available on all tickets bought before February 23rd 2007.

source: Traveldailynews

A planned strike by thousands of British Airways cabin crew has been called off following a deal to end a bitter dispute over sickness absence, pay and staffing.

More than 120 hours of negotiations between the airline and the Transport and General Workers Union led to an agreement. A planned 48-hour walkout by thousands of stewards and stewardesses from Tuesday will not now go ahead.

source: icnetwork.co.uk