British Airways began the year by affirming its commitment to the trade and offering agents the chance to win tickets for the Olympics.
Head of consumer sales Simon Brooks launched the Olympic ticket giveaway saying: “We appreciate the support of agents and tour operators in the last 12 months – the trade is such an important element of our business.”
Brooks pledged: “There will be hundreds of tickets for events at the Olympic Park, including tickets to the athletics finals.”
All agents need to do to enter a prize draw is make a BA booking. The offer is open until January 24.
Brooks also promised at least 500 fam trip places. He said: “We had a really positive 2011 with the trade and took away 500 agents and operators on fam trips. We plan to do similar this year. Customers will see an even better BA product and we want trade partners to see it.”
The news follows BA parent International Airlines Group’s £172 million bid to buy BMI being accepted by owner Lufthansa before Christmas.
Agents in Scotland expressed alarm at the takeover. They fear BA might drop Heathrow services from Aberdeen and Edinburgh. Kevin Thom, president of the Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association, said the average BA Glasgow-Heathrow fare had risen £40-£60 since BMI pulled off the route last year.
Thom added: “BA said there would be no fare increases, but yield management ensures fares at the lower end are difficult to get. Is that going to happen on the Aberdeen and Edinburgh routes? The fear is BA will cut services.” BA said the takeover was a matter for IAG, but pointed out demand had led it to increase capacity between Glasgow and Heathrow by 25% from this week.