Walsh: BA will fly all planes July 7, 2010 WILLIE WALSH, British Airways (BA) chief executive, has vowed the airline will not lose money if there is a third strike by cabin crew after guaranteeing that 100 per cent of flights will be in operation. “If in case of a strike 100 per cent of flights will, as we believe, be guaranteed, British Airways [...]
BAA fends off strike with 2pc pay offer August 17, 2010 THE UNITE union told its workers yesterday they should accept a pay offer by airport operator BAA, as strike action over the August bank holiday was averted. BAA has offered ground staff a two per cent pay rise plus a one-off payment of at least £500 depending on company results, the union said yesterday, following [...]
Virgin Atlantic pilots poised to ground airline over holiday row August 23, 2010 VIRGIN Atlantic management are to meet with union Balpa today in a bid to avert a possible strike of its airline’s pilots as tensions mount over staff holidays and days off. The two are to meet in what Balpa calls “last ditch” talks to negotiate an agreement that could prevent a crippling strike by Virgin [...]
BA to offload pension risk to insurance firm July 1, 2010 BRITISH Airways said it had removed £1.3bn of pension risk in a deal with Goldman Sachs-owned insurance specialists Rothesay Life yesterday, removing another obstacle to its planned merger with Spanish airline Iberia. BA will pay Rothesay for insurance on 20 per cent of its exposure to the Airlines Pension Scheme, which provides defined benefit pensions [...]
BEST OF THE BROKERS July 29, 2010 EASYJET easyJet revealed strong revenue trends for the third quarter, according to Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), which said it was, however, lower than expected. Profit guidance was unchanged as the volcano impact was confirmed at the top of the range. RBS reiterates its “hold” rating, noting operational instability is leading to incremental costs. CENTRICA [...]
Regulators approve BA and Iberia merger July 14, 2010 BRITISH Airways and Spain’s Iberia gained EU regulatory approval for their merger to create the world’s third-largest airline. The carriers hope the merger will enable them to compete better with rivals Lufthansa and Air France as well as low-cost carrier Ryanair. It will also clear the way for a tie-up with American Airlines. The European [...]
Selfish strikes to cripple British Airways December 14, 2009 WHAT a tragic outcome at British Airways. The airline’s management is hardly perfect but it is almost unbelievable that BA’s staff have chosen to walk out like this. The strike – supported by an astonishing 92 per cent of those voting – will last for 12 hellish days from 22 December to 2 January, ruining [...]
US officials give BA the go ahead to fly alongside AA July 21, 2010 BRITISH AIRWAYS’ (BA) shares took off yesterday on news that US officials have given its transatlantic partnership with American Airlines (AA) the green light. A nod from the US Department of Transport (DOT) was the last hurdle for the airline after receiving approval from European regulators last week. The approval means the two airlines, along [...]
Syrian mulls £400m bid for Liverpool August 1, 2010 A FORMER Syrian international footballer has become the latest businessman to be linked with a bid for Liverpool Football Club. Yahya Kirdi, who claims to be fronting a consortium of wealthy Arab investors, is understood to be in talks with the club’s much-maligned American owners. There was speculation earlier this year that Kirdi, who is [...]
Spice set to give thumbs-up to £247m offer from Cinven by end of September September 2, 2010 UTILITIES services company Spice is expected to recommend a £247m offer from buyout house Cinven by the end of the month after announcing advanced talks yesterday. Cinven has locked Spice into exclusive discussions with a hefty break fee, meaning the prospect of an expensive bidding war with a mystery third party has receded. Spice has [...]