02/02/2007

BA reports fall in profits

British Airways has reported a fall in profits in the third quarter.

Pre-tax profits for the three-month period until the end of December dropped to £113 million from £166 million in the same period the year before.

The announcement comes in the same week that a threatened strike by cabin crew over sick leave, pay and conditions was called off. However, many passengers had already made alternative arrangements by this time and BA estimated that it would lose around £80 million because of the dispute.

Other factors, including severe fog before Christmas, which resulted in cancelled flights, and the failure of the baggage system at Terminal 4 in Heathrow twice in December, also cost the airline £40 million during the same period.

BA Chief Executive Willie Walsh said: "The patience and loyalty of our customers has been tested and I want to apologise for the inconvenience they have suffered during this period."

(KMcA)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

05 August 2005
BA profits rise on improving outlook
British Airways (BA) has today reported a rise in operating profit in the first quarter of the company's trading year. BA reported a £176 million operating profit up from £129 million in the same period last year. The airline reported a rise in pre-tax profit of £124 million (2004, £75 million profit) for the first quarter to June 30, 2005.
17 May 2004
BA pre-tax profits soar by 70%
British Airways (BA) has today posted an annual pre-tax profit of £230 million – up £95 million, or 70%, on last year's mark. The operating profit for the full year to March 31 rose from £295 million to £405 million – of which the fourth quarter saw £32 million.
07 May 2003
Budget airline easyJet reports £47m loss
Europe's largest low-cost airline, easyJet, has announced a loss of £47 million in the six months up to March this year. However, the loss was reported despite record revenues of £373 million for the first half-year.
10 November 2011
£95M Bank Fund For Business
Hundreds of small businesses will be given £95 million as part of a bank fund to "boost growth" and "rebalance the economy", the Prime Minister said today. David Cameron said the funding was expected to create 4,000 jobs and "unlock" around £500 million of new investment by small and medium businesses (SMEs).
19 October 2011
Millions Affected By Tax Blunder
Millions of UK tax payers will be told they have paid the wrong amount of tax, with some being handed a £400 rebate while others will be hit by £600 in back payments.