10/01/2002

British Airways to cut 15 European routes

Around 15 of British Airways short-haul European routes are to be to slashed in an attempt to avert major losses.

The move is part of a restructuring plan which will see the company focusing on the lucrative transatlantic business travel market.

The company have already launched a £5 million advertising campaign designed to lure business travellers back on board its aircraft, as numbers have fallen by a third since the September 11 attacks.

BA are also set to launch fresh frequent flyer programmes as part of its new business-oriented marketing drive.

Since the September 11 attacks on the United States, BA has come under stiff competition from a new generation of no-frills carriers such as Ryanair and Easyjet.

The company recently suspended its Heathrow-Belfast route indefinitely and also axed 7,000 jobs, around nine per cent of its workforce. (MB)

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