19/03/2002
Airline sector exhibits first signs of recovery in traffic
Tentative signs of recovery in the airline sector have been bolstered by British Airways’ decision to restore part of its transatlantic services.
From April, BA is to reinstate its transatlantic Concorde flights during the week, which will see Heathrow-US air traffic levels back to normal after the events of September 11.
However, while the company has shown a revival in economic fortune, BA confirmed there were no plans to halt a restructuring programme which will entail 13,000 redundancies
Speaking to BBC Online, a BA spokesperson said: “The job losses are part of a planned programme, designed to ensure the security of remaining employees.
“Just because our services are back to normal does not mean the number of passengers we are carrying is back to normal as well.”
The situation echoes the encouraging signs seen in the American airline industry, where many carriers are reporting increased profits for the first time since the attacks.
Airlines have managed to increase passenger numbers by reducing prices for leisure travellers, with holidaymakers now expecting to see ticket prices which are around 20-25 per cent lower than before.
However, business customers have not seen any increase in ticket prices, which suggests that firm evidence of an upturn in economic performance could be slow in coming.
The airline industry depends in part on the revenue stream from profits made from business travel – much of which is booked at the last minute and at high premium.
(CL)
From April, BA is to reinstate its transatlantic Concorde flights during the week, which will see Heathrow-US air traffic levels back to normal after the events of September 11.
However, while the company has shown a revival in economic fortune, BA confirmed there were no plans to halt a restructuring programme which will entail 13,000 redundancies
Speaking to BBC Online, a BA spokesperson said: “The job losses are part of a planned programme, designed to ensure the security of remaining employees.
“Just because our services are back to normal does not mean the number of passengers we are carrying is back to normal as well.”
The situation echoes the encouraging signs seen in the American airline industry, where many carriers are reporting increased profits for the first time since the attacks.
Airlines have managed to increase passenger numbers by reducing prices for leisure travellers, with holidaymakers now expecting to see ticket prices which are around 20-25 per cent lower than before.
However, business customers have not seen any increase in ticket prices, which suggests that firm evidence of an upturn in economic performance could be slow in coming.
The airline industry depends in part on the revenue stream from profits made from business travel – much of which is booked at the last minute and at high premium.
(CL)
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03 April 2002
German firm to create 50 new jobs for Waterford
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25 September 2001
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Ryanair, one of Europe’s leading budget airlines, has spoken out about the need for smart economic strategies rather than state aid as the solution to the current crisis facing the airline industry.
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30 July 2010
BA Lose Millions To Strikes And Volcano
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06 November 2009
BA Losses Lead To Job Cuts
British Airways has announced plans to cut and extra 1,200 jobs, after reporting a pre-tax loss of £292 million for the six months of the year until September 2009.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.