THE
trade has emerged unscathed from British Airways’ latest two-year business
plan, with no more plans for distribution cost cuts.
As
expected, the airline has focused on headcount reduction for the next two
years, setting a £300 million staff cost reduction target for the period.
Distribution
costs were a key component of the airline’s previous business plan – Future
Size and Shape.
A
spokeswoman said: “We are still working on reducing distribution costs
with our deals with Galileo and Sabre and moving towards 100% e-ticketing, but
there is nothing major included in the plan.”
Although
no figure has been put on the expected job losses, it is believed the carrier
has set a limit at 4,000. It has already shed 13,000 jobs as part of the Future
Size and Shape programme launched in February 2002.