BRITISH Airways has axed its Heathrow to Belfast
service, suspended eight European routes and drastically cut flights to major
US cities in a bid to cut costs in the wake of last month’s US attacks.
From October 27, 190 fewer scheduled services will
operate from Heathrow and Gatwick to the US and Europe after chief executive
Rod Eddington gave the go-ahead to slash capacity by 9% following the September
11 attacks.
BA director of strategy David Spurlock warned: “This
is the first phase of measures to address the changing conditions. We are
reviewing the market and our network on a week-to-week basis and consequently
will quickly address further issues as they arise in order to protect our
business.”
10 routes to Europe and New York JFK have been
suspended and up to 10 routes have been switched away from Gatwick to Heathrow.
Spurlock added: “We have transferred services from
Gatwick to Heathrow where experience has shown us the prospects for future profitability
are stronger. The current difficult market conditions demand we take firm
action – our focus has to be on making best use of our assets.”