27/09/2001

British Airways axes flights and jobs in Belfast

British Airways has announced that it is to stop flying from Belfast International Airport to London Heathrow.

Up to 160 ground staff and flight crew are expected to lose their jobs as a result of the move, to take effect on Thursday 27 October, as BA announced the scrapping or suspending of 190 services along with 36 fewer flights to America.

The announcement came as the company revealed it was to cut back on the number of flights from London to the US and Europe in the wake of the terror attacks on the US.

In their statement BA said: “The Belfast London route has a history of unprofitability and in the course of the last four years, losses on the route have amounted to £38 million.”

British Airways General Manager in the UK and Ireland Ian Reid said: "Over the years we have tried hard to maintain the Belfast-Heathrow service. However, despite the best efforts of all our staff and support from the local community huge losses have continued."

George Matchett of the GMB union said it was a major blow to the workforce. He said staff on the ground were “very very disappointed” and felt that BA had “overreacted” to the current situation.

BA’s announcement follows another major jobs blow in Northern Ireland this week. On Wednesday, aerospace manufacturer Shorts announced it would have to lay off 900 people between now and January because of the slackening demand for aircraft caused by the attacks on the US. Shorts claim that in the short-term another 1,100 jobs are under treat. (AMcE)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

25 January 2006
Ikea plan to come to Belfast
Swedish furniture giant Ikea is planning to set up shop in Northern Ireland. If the application goes ahead, the superstore is likely to be built near the Holywood exchange, close to Belfast City Airport.
23 March 2006
30,000 jobs could be cut in Northern Ireland
Around 30,000 jobs could be lost from Northern Ireland companies if the government's plan to make them pay taxes is implemented. The Northern Ireland Manufacturing Focus Group today revealed plans to hold a rally in the Waterfront Hall in Belfast, protesting against the decision to phase out industrial de-rating.
24 October 2001
Fujitsu cuts 4,500 jobs worldwide
Japanese electronics giant Fujitsu is set to cut a further 4,500 jobs worldwide by the end of March next year. While around 4,000 of the losses will come from plants outside Japan it is not known whether Fujitsu facilities in Northern Ireland will be affected by the decision.
22 April 2016
Over 170 Jobs To Be Lost After Lisburn Firm Goes Into Liquidation
Over 170 jobs are to be lost after a construction company in Co Antrim announced it has gone into liquidation. McGrath Bros in Lisburn said 171 jobs are to go across sites in Northern Ireland, Birmingham, London and South East England. 121 of the jobs are at its Lisburn site in Northern Ireland.
16 March 2005
NI continues to experience jobs growth
The latest labour market figures, released today, show that Northern Ireland is continuing to experience jobs growth, with the highest number of employee jobs on record being reported.