Staff revolt feared as BA reorganises routes

Staff revolt feared as BA reorganises routes

Report by LOUISELONGMAN

BRITISH Airways chief executive Rod Eddington has been warned his new cost-cutting plans could result in a staff revolt.

Industry commentators have applauded Eddington for working hard since he joined in May to boost flagging staff morale blamed on former chief executive Bob Ayling.

But they fear plans to cut capacity at Gatwick could lead to loss-making routes being passed to franchise carriers.

An industry commentator said: “Eddington has gained the confidence of his employees but staff will not be happy if they find themselves shifted over the BA franchisees.”

BA’s subsidiary CityFlyer Express has already taken over BA’s Heathrow-Jersey route and British Mediterrean has been given the loss-making Heathrow-Tehran route.

It is expected that further European routes will be given to franchise carriers as BA concentrates on key European hubs.

The main changes to BA’s network will affect Gatwick, where capacity will drop by 15% next summer. Heathrow capacity will be cut by 9%.

BA will “review the loss-making operations at Gatwick” and a revised strategy will be implemented for winter 2001/02. The airline said in a statement: “BA will maintain a significant presence at Gatwick. But it has to be profitable too.”

A BA spokeswoman said: “Anything about staff is pure speculation.”

BA’slong-haul network changes

&#42 Suspension of Heathrow-Kuala Lumpur flights.

&#42 Resuming Heathrow-Melbourne link four-times weekly via Singapore.

&#42 Miami routes move to Heathrow; Gatwick routes suspended.

&#42 Rio de Janeiro services switched from Gatwick to Heathrow.

&#42 Daily Gatwick-SanDiego via Phoenix to be replaced by direct services to both cities.

&#42 Heathrow-Los Angeles cut from three flights a day to two.

&#42 Gatwick-Buenos Aires flights increased to six-times weekly.

&#42 Suspension of Santiago and Tehran flights. Tehran will be operated by British Mediterrean.

Air brakes: commentators predict a steep downturn in morale if BA employees move to franchisees