British
Airways has announced a £45 million pre-tax loss for the first quarter of this
year.
The loss
compares to a £65 million profit for the same quarter last year.
Although,
air traffic was hit hard in the second quarter of 2003 due to the war in Iraq
and the outbreak of the SARS virus.
BA has also
halted the possible threat of strikes over the August Bank Holiday weekend by
agreeing with union bosses to delay the introduction of a swipe card system –
to record when staff start and finish work – and implement a 3% annual pay
rise.
Wildcat
industrial action by check in staff scared the company would use the system to
dramatically change working practices cost the carrier up to £40 million.