British Airways started a new service to Tokyo this week as a flight took off from London Heathrow bound for Haneda airport Tokyo which marked the start of a 5 flights a week service between the 2 airports.
The new route is in addition to existing service to Narita airport in Japan at the same time American Airlines also started a fresh service between Tokyo Haneda and Ney York’s JFK airport.
BA General manager Jamie Cassidy claimed it was a historic day and that BA were very proud to be the only airline offering a route from Haneda direct to the UK and that it would give BA customers greater choice and flexibility.
Showing posts with label BA News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label BA News. Show all posts
Tuesday, 22 February 2011
Thursday, 16 December 2010
Fresh Strike Ballot Dates Announced
Unite have announced their latest ballot dates for strike action of BA workers, the ballot will take place between 21st December and 21st January. The long running feud between BA and Unite appeared to be over in October when talks looked to be nearing a conclusion.
But a deal that BA say Unite have reneged on now looks to be lost, BA stated that Unites’s behaviour was dysfunctional and if a strike does take place its services at Gatwick and London airports will be unaffected and all long haul services at Heathrow would remain in place.
Unite claim there are 5 issues it has with BA, the first is the travel concessions removed from striking workers, second is binding arbitration on disciplinary cases for striking members, the third is repayment of docked wages from crew members who were genuinely off sick during previous strikes, fourth on the list full and proper discussion of the trade union facilities agreement at the company and finally they want to prevent BA from imposing wage reductions.
But a deal that BA say Unite have reneged on now looks to be lost, BA stated that Unites’s behaviour was dysfunctional and if a strike does take place its services at Gatwick and London airports will be unaffected and all long haul services at Heathrow would remain in place.
Unite claim there are 5 issues it has with BA, the first is the travel concessions removed from striking workers, second is binding arbitration on disciplinary cases for striking members, the third is repayment of docked wages from crew members who were genuinely off sick during previous strikes, fourth on the list full and proper discussion of the trade union facilities agreement at the company and finally they want to prevent BA from imposing wage reductions.
Tuesday, 9 November 2010
App Success For BA
British Airways mobile application has been hailed as a huge success after the 250,000 download was made before they announced there will be updates made to the hugely popular service. The apps were rolled out back in July across the iPhone, blackberry and android markets.
The iPhone has been the market leader with 200,000 downloads on its own, the blackberry version saw 50,000 while the Google backed android slumped to 7,000. The iPhone is the only device that is currently equipped to serve as an online boarding pass.
This will be rolled out to the other two devices later in the year, said Chris Davies the BA head of digital global marketing.
The iPhone has been the market leader with 200,000 downloads on its own, the blackberry version saw 50,000 while the Google backed android slumped to 7,000. The iPhone is the only device that is currently equipped to serve as an online boarding pass.
This will be rolled out to the other two devices later in the year, said Chris Davies the BA head of digital global marketing.
Friday, 29 October 2010
BA Announce Half Year Profit
BA has announced a half year profit of £158m the first for 2 years, the company was expected to make a profit of just half that figure by top analysts. These figures also include the losses caused by striking cabin crew workers and the ash cloud catastrophe.
The figures will be pleasing news for Iberia who are set to merge with BA, the merger will also see BA Chief Executive Willie Walsh receive a 12% pay rise earning him £825,000 a year.
The same period last year saw a £292m loss for BA so it is quite a turnaround, BA put this down to cost cutting measures of 1.5% and a rise of 39% in cargo revenues.
The figures will be pleasing news for Iberia who are set to merge with BA, the merger will also see BA Chief Executive Willie Walsh receive a 12% pay rise earning him £825,000 a year.
The same period last year saw a £292m loss for BA so it is quite a turnaround, BA put this down to cost cutting measures of 1.5% and a rise of 39% in cargo revenues.
Wednesday, 27 October 2010
BA Chairman Vents His Anger
BA Chairman Martin Broughton has waged war on airline security checks calling them redundant and unnecessary. He also criticised the way the UK is under the thumb of the US and should stop adhering to their safety rules such as asking passengers to remove their shoes and screening laptops.
Us officials were also in the firing line on their insistence planes bound for the US undergo strict security checks yet US domestic flights are not subject to this intense security level. BAA agreed with Mr Broughton saying security checks were layered on them from UK rules, European rules and US rules, stating one universal ruling would be much easier to adhere to.
Security has been on a high alert ever since the 9/11 attacks along with other attacks since, airports will always be a target for terrorists, however Mr Broughton feels enough is enough.
Transport Minister Philip Hammond said the Government would look at new measures but insisted security was paramount not the time it takes to carry out the measures
Us officials were also in the firing line on their insistence planes bound for the US undergo strict security checks yet US domestic flights are not subject to this intense security level. BAA agreed with Mr Broughton saying security checks were layered on them from UK rules, European rules and US rules, stating one universal ruling would be much easier to adhere to.
Security has been on a high alert ever since the 9/11 attacks along with other attacks since, airports will always be a target for terrorists, however Mr Broughton feels enough is enough.
Transport Minister Philip Hammond said the Government would look at new measures but insisted security was paramount not the time it takes to carry out the measures
Friday, 22 October 2010
Willie Walsh Relents On Travel Perks
Willie Walsh has amazingly reversed his decision not to restore travel perks to his striking work force by announcing the travel concessions will be restored as of the 26th October. This has been a major stumbling block in the feud between BA and Unite over pay and conditions which resulted in a total of 22 days of strike action which cost BA £150 million.
Though it is still not clear who will receive the perks which give the benefactor 90% off travel costs as BA has not restored seniority in its ranks after many workers went to the back of the queue after taking part in the industrial action.
BA stated that seniority would be re-instated on a good behaviour basis over the next three years. This latest move by BA has left many feeling that an agreement will soon be reached between both parties and put to bed the long running argument.
Monday, 11 October 2010
BA And Unite Continue Talks
The long running fued between BA and Unite could soon be over after reports suggest a new peace deal being offered by Unite could be accepted by BA meaning a proposed strike by cabin crew workers will be cancelled.
Unite is currently preparing to ballot its members on further industrial action over the 6700 staff who lost their travel perks due to strikes earlier in the year along with the 14 who were sacked.
But ACAS has overseen more talks carried out by Willie Walsh and Tony Woodley which could yet see an agreement. The 14 sackings BA carried out stated they followed guidelines agreed with by Unite, as for the travel perks, Willie Walsh said they were for staff who remained loyal to the company.
Unite is currently preparing to ballot its members on further industrial action over the 6700 staff who lost their travel perks due to strikes earlier in the year along with the 14 who were sacked.
But ACAS has overseen more talks carried out by Willie Walsh and Tony Woodley which could yet see an agreement. The 14 sackings BA carried out stated they followed guidelines agreed with by Unite, as for the travel perks, Willie Walsh said they were for staff who remained loyal to the company.
Monday, 27 September 2010
BA Merger With Iberia To Go Ahead
British Airways and Iberia moved a step closer to sealing their merger after the Spanish airline backed plans by BA to tackle its pension deficit which was a stumbling block and holding up the deal.
The new company will be called IAG International Airlines Group of which Willie Walsh will be the boss and the Iberia chief Antonio Vazquez the chairman.
BA shareholders will own 56% of the company while Iberia shareholders will retain 44%. The merger will make IAG the second largest airline in the world behind Lufthansa airlines.
BA agreed a deal with the New Airways Pension Scheme to clear the deficit by 2026, BA will contribute £330 million rising with inflation rising at 3% a year.
The new company will be called IAG International Airlines Group of which Willie Walsh will be the boss and the Iberia chief Antonio Vazquez the chairman.
BA shareholders will own 56% of the company while Iberia shareholders will retain 44%. The merger will make IAG the second largest airline in the world behind Lufthansa airlines.
BA agreed a deal with the New Airways Pension Scheme to clear the deficit by 2026, BA will contribute £330 million rising with inflation rising at 3% a year.
Tuesday, 7 September 2010
Fresh Strike Fears For BA
Fresh strikes could be on the way from British Airways cabin crew workers unless the long running feud is sorted out. Brendan Gold a national officer said it would ballot its members when the time was right because many issues remain unresolved.
Around 1000 cabin crew workers gathered at Kempton Park racecourse to discuss the next step in their battle with Willie Walsh. Members wore yellow ribbons out of respect to its punished co-workers, some of which have lost their jobs through the stand-off.
Unite is still calling for the travel concessions removed by BA from striking workers to be re-instated. Which it says is victimisation of its workers, out of the 65 cabin crew workers who were subject to disciplinary hearings 49 returned to work and 16 were sacked.
But BA have hit back by saying the cabin crew union Bassa has been talking for months about holding a ballot for the last three months, but doesn’t have the authority to hold such a ballot.
Around 1000 cabin crew workers gathered at Kempton Park racecourse to discuss the next step in their battle with Willie Walsh. Members wore yellow ribbons out of respect to its punished co-workers, some of which have lost their jobs through the stand-off.
Unite is still calling for the travel concessions removed by BA from striking workers to be re-instated. Which it says is victimisation of its workers, out of the 65 cabin crew workers who were subject to disciplinary hearings 49 returned to work and 16 were sacked.
But BA have hit back by saying the cabin crew union Bassa has been talking for months about holding a ballot for the last three months, but doesn’t have the authority to hold such a ballot.
Tuesday, 24 August 2010
Man Wins Case Against BA Seating Policy
British Airways has changed its policy about refraining lone male passengers from sitting next to unaccompanied children on its planes. It comes after Mirko Fischer sued BA after being forced to move seats after he innocently sat next to a child on one of their planes.
The incident took place last year when his pregnant wife asked to switch seats with him so she could sit next to the window, which he did and sat in his wife’s middle seat, in doing so he was then sat next to a boy.
Air stewards thought Mirko was travelling alone and asked him to move as he was sitting next to a boy he didn’t know. Mirko said he had never been so humiliated and made to feel like child molester.
He took the case to court and won £2,161 in costs and £750 in damages. BA have since changed their decade old policy, lone flying children will now be seated in a special section of the plane.
The incident took place last year when his pregnant wife asked to switch seats with him so she could sit next to the window, which he did and sat in his wife’s middle seat, in doing so he was then sat next to a boy.
Air stewards thought Mirko was travelling alone and asked him to move as he was sitting next to a boy he didn’t know. Mirko said he had never been so humiliated and made to feel like child molester.
He took the case to court and won £2,161 in costs and £750 in damages. BA have since changed their decade old policy, lone flying children will now be seated in a special section of the plane.
Tuesday, 3 August 2010
Talks Prove Fruitless
Further talks between British Airways and Union Unite have taken place and failed, the talks took place under the supervision of the mediation service Acas but were adjourned for a later date in an effort to prevent further strikes.
A new pay deal had been offered to the Union, a 2.9% pay rise next year and 3% the year after, but that was rejected in a recent ballot. BA insist that any new deal would be formed from that basis.
The Union is threatening more strikes in September and stated there was no point in BA carrying on with the dispute. But BA boss Willie Walsh hit back by saying flights including all long haul would be unaffected by future strikes. Volunteer workers have been trained and will be on stand-by if needed claimed Mr Walsh.
Both sides claim to want an end to the long running feud, yet both seem unlikely to change their stance.
A new pay deal had been offered to the Union, a 2.9% pay rise next year and 3% the year after, but that was rejected in a recent ballot. BA insist that any new deal would be formed from that basis.
The Union is threatening more strikes in September and stated there was no point in BA carrying on with the dispute. But BA boss Willie Walsh hit back by saying flights including all long haul would be unaffected by future strikes. Volunteer workers have been trained and will be on stand-by if needed claimed Mr Walsh.
Both sides claim to want an end to the long running feud, yet both seem unlikely to change their stance.
Wednesday, 28 July 2010
Unite In Human Rights Claim
Union bosses are claiming that BA’s refusal to re-instate travel perks is against their workers human rights. The travel perks were removed earlier this year after cabin crew went on strike for a total of 22 days, even after being warned that by doing so they would lose their travel perks.
It is also common knowledge that this is a major stumbling block in the on-going row between Unite and BA. The human rights claim by Unite could end up at the high court, where both parties have met before, with both sides claiming victories in the past.
More talks between Unite and BA are set to take place next week at the conciliation service Acas, but Willie Walsh insists if more strikes do take place, flights will operate as normal. Future strikes do look unlikely as the latest ballot had over 6000 boycott the vote and BA seem to operate better and better with every strike to obtain minimal effect.
Wednesday, 21 July 2010
BA Claim Victory Over Unite
Willie Walsh and his airline British Airways have declared victory over the union Unite after a ballot for the latest pay offer was boycotted by some 6000 cabin crew workers. Unite are still claiming a 67% victory after 3,400 did vote against the offer with 1,686 voting in favour.
BA claim that support for the Unite is falling every day, whilst Unite claim the result of the vote raises threats of more strikes. Though that threat looks unlikely with such a weak turnout.
Campaigners are now calling for the Union to accept it has lost the battle and turn its attentions to workers who have lost their jobs and travel perks because of the long running feud.
BA claim that support for the Unite is falling every day, whilst Unite claim the result of the vote raises threats of more strikes. Though that threat looks unlikely with such a weak turnout.
Campaigners are now calling for the Union to accept it has lost the battle and turn its attentions to workers who have lost their jobs and travel perks because of the long running feud.
Thursday, 24 June 2010
Business Travel Revival
BA CEO Willie Walsh has predicted that Business travel will play a key role in reviving the economy and airline industry, as companies start to come out of their shells and try to build up again due to the recession. Mr Walsh says that face to face meetings with business owners and there oversees customers will be essential.
Mr Walsh also quoted that a recent survey carried out, found that 79% of business owners rated a face to face meeting as the most productive form of choice. The news was also backed by Clive Wratten who manages the UK branch of Etihad, who stated the airline had seen a big increase in business travel for its Manchester and London routes.
Mr Walsh also went on to thank the travel management community for its support during the recent strikes by cabin crew workers and proclaimed that if more strikes were to come then BA’s long haul service would be totally unaffected with flights at Gatwick and London City Airport again running at 100%.
Mr Walsh also quoted that a recent survey carried out, found that 79% of business owners rated a face to face meeting as the most productive form of choice. The news was also backed by Clive Wratten who manages the UK branch of Etihad, who stated the airline had seen a big increase in business travel for its Manchester and London routes.
Mr Walsh also went on to thank the travel management community for its support during the recent strikes by cabin crew workers and proclaimed that if more strikes were to come then BA’s long haul service would be totally unaffected with flights at Gatwick and London City Airport again running at 100%.
Tuesday, 22 June 2010
BA To Expand US Services
British Airways has announced it is considering extending its services from London City Airport by introducing new routes, to three North American Cities.
Chicago, Washington DC and Boston will be part of the expansion plans after BA CEO announced after finding a recently introduced route from London City airport and Ney York City was very profitable. The popular route was expected to take a full year until it became profitable but this was achieved in just 10 weeks.
Mr Walsh stated if the success of the route continues then additional services would be introduced along with more capacity to the existing New York route.
The news comes as a nice surprise for Willie Walsh whose airline has had to endure countless setbacks this year, posting record losses due to striking cabin crew workers, the recession and the Volcanic ash cloud which grounded all flights during parts of April and March costing the airline industry billions.
Chicago, Washington DC and Boston will be part of the expansion plans after BA CEO announced after finding a recently introduced route from London City airport and Ney York City was very profitable. The popular route was expected to take a full year until it became profitable but this was achieved in just 10 weeks.
Mr Walsh stated if the success of the route continues then additional services would be introduced along with more capacity to the existing New York route.
The news comes as a nice surprise for Willie Walsh whose airline has had to endure countless setbacks this year, posting record losses due to striking cabin crew workers, the recession and the Volcanic ash cloud which grounded all flights during parts of April and March costing the airline industry billions.
Thursday, 17 June 2010
BA & Unite still at loggerheads
BA & Unite are still to reach an agreement in the long and drawn out battle regarding pay and conditions. A battle that has so far resulted in 22 days of strike action carried out by the Unite Union that has cost BA in excess of £150m.
Reconciliation service ACAS has stated that it had given both sides new proposals last week but no agreement had been reached as the fear of another strike during July looked increasingly likely.
The original strikes were over changes to staffing levels and pay disputes but now are clearly over the travel concessions removed by BA for striking cabin crew workers.
Reconciliation service ACAS has stated that it had given both sides new proposals last week but no agreement had been reached as the fear of another strike during July looked increasingly likely.
The original strikes were over changes to staffing levels and pay disputes but now are clearly over the travel concessions removed by BA for striking cabin crew workers.
Friday, 11 June 2010
Wiliie Walsh refuses bonus
Willie Walsh the CEO of British Airways has shown his striking cabin crew workers that everyone must take pay cuts after refusing a £334,000 bonus which is the second time the airline boss has turned down his annual bonus.
Although Mr Walsh does earn a handsome £735,000 a year he has shown he is ready to take a pay cut to help his company come through the other side of the deep recession, he also missed his July salary as part of his cost-cutting plans. The Unite union claim had he taken the massive bonus there would have been uproar.
Mr Walsh is currently locked in a battle with the union regarding pay and conditions. The pay committee have set him three tasks if he is to be eligible for bonus next year.
One of these tasks includes resolving the pay dispute with cabin crew workers which has so far resulted in 21 days of strike action. The dispute is still not solved with talk of more stikes on the way so if Mr Walsh wants his bonus next year he will have to resolve this issue in the near future.
Walsh stated that if BA failed to change then the company would shrink and shrink eventually into non existence.
Although Mr Walsh does earn a handsome £735,000 a year he has shown he is ready to take a pay cut to help his company come through the other side of the deep recession, he also missed his July salary as part of his cost-cutting plans. The Unite union claim had he taken the massive bonus there would have been uproar.
Mr Walsh is currently locked in a battle with the union regarding pay and conditions. The pay committee have set him three tasks if he is to be eligible for bonus next year.
One of these tasks includes resolving the pay dispute with cabin crew workers which has so far resulted in 21 days of strike action. The dispute is still not solved with talk of more stikes on the way so if Mr Walsh wants his bonus next year he will have to resolve this issue in the near future.
Walsh stated that if BA failed to change then the company would shrink and shrink eventually into non existence.
Tuesday, 8 June 2010
BA Stand firm
BA cabin crew workers are set to meet MPs later today as the last of the 5 day strikes draws to a close. They will tell the MPs that BA is gripped by a climate of fear, however Willie Walsh CEO of BA has stated his company would hold out for as long as it takes instead of giving in to Union.
Mr Walsh went on to say flight numbers would continue to rise amid plans for more strikes, which the union has said will take place if an agreement can not be reached. Today is the 21st day BA has operated with a depleted work force.
But it is obvious that they are adapting well to the strikes as they run more flights each time they are in operation and with Willie Walsh claiming he will not back down. You wonder what the unions will try next as more workers are now feeling the pinch of having huge holes in their wage packets.
Mr Walsh went on to say flight numbers would continue to rise amid plans for more strikes, which the union has said will take place if an agreement can not be reached. Today is the 21st day BA has operated with a depleted work force.
But it is obvious that they are adapting well to the strikes as they run more flights each time they are in operation and with Willie Walsh claiming he will not back down. You wonder what the unions will try next as more workers are now feeling the pinch of having huge holes in their wage packets.
Wednesday, 2 June 2010
Good news for football fans
As the BA cabin crew strike enters its fourth day, some good news for football fans has been announced by BA. As they stated that all football fans booked on BA planes bound for the World Cup in South Africa would be unaffected by the 3rd walkout by BA staff which is due to start on the 5th June ending on the 9th June 2 days shy of the start of the tournament.
Talks were carried out yesterday between BA and Unite but again a solution looks a way off. The welcome news for football fans is part of the 80% of flights that BA say will operate at Heathrow airport. BA seem confident that every time Unite orders its members to strike they can operate at higher level to the previous strikes.
Unite say they will ballot its members for more strikes in July but BA don’t seem to be to bothered and you have to think that BA are starting to get the upper hand now as the long battle rages on.
Thursday, 27 May 2010
Strike Enters 4th Day
Talks between Unite and BA are expected to resume tomorrow as the strike will enter its fifth and final day of the first in the series of strikes being carried out over pay and conditions. Talks had lasted for over 6 hours yesterday with an agreement still to be reached.
Heathrow saw 241 flights cancelled out of 678 for Thursday due to the industrial action, a figure which BA say is in keeping with their pledge to keep 70% of their passengers in the air. They also aim to increase that figure for the next planned strike which is due to start Sunday.
Willie Walsh told of his frustration at reaching an agreement with the Unite leaders only for it to be rejected by Bassa. Which directly represents the BA cabin crew, Mr Walsh also stated if the debate can’t be solved before the next planned strike his company would be seeking a full hearing to once again challenge the legality of the strikes. Which has already been overturned before
Heathrow saw 241 flights cancelled out of 678 for Thursday due to the industrial action, a figure which BA say is in keeping with their pledge to keep 70% of their passengers in the air. They also aim to increase that figure for the next planned strike which is due to start Sunday.
Willie Walsh told of his frustration at reaching an agreement with the Unite leaders only for it to be rejected by Bassa. Which directly represents the BA cabin crew, Mr Walsh also stated if the debate can’t be solved before the next planned strike his company would be seeking a full hearing to once again challenge the legality of the strikes. Which has already been overturned before
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