If you’re an anxious traveller who gets all jittery when faced with the prospect of air travel, there is some good news and some bad news for you.
First the good news - Air Transport Rating Agency (ATRA), a Geneva-based rating agency that deals with aviation risk evaluation and advanced data analyses in the aviation sector, has come with a list that features top10 safest carriers. So, now whenever you are required to book cheap flight tickets you can opt for the airlines that are the ‘safest’ as per the list (check the list below).
Moving on to the seemingly bad news - this list released by the ATRA does not feature a single airline that has been awarded by Skytrax this year. So, basically it means that most probably you will not be flying with the carrier of your liking if you prefer to book cheap flights tickets keeping in mind ATRA’s top 10 safest airlines list. It seems flight quality and flight safety do not go together!
Another striking feature of this one of its kind list is there is no airline from Australia, New Zealand and the Middle East in the list. No Qatar Airways, No Qantas, No Virgin Australia, No Jetstar and No Air New Zealand! On the other hand, six US based airlines have made it to the list along with three European and one Asian airline.
World's 10 Safest Airlines (In Alphabetical Order)
Air France-KLM
AMR Corporation (American Airlines)
British Airways
Continental Airlines
Delta Airlines
Japan Airlines
Lufthansa
Southwest Airlines
United Airlines
US Airways
Showing posts with label British Airways. Show all posts
Showing posts with label British Airways. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Friday, August 19, 2011
British Airways and Qantas in Strategic Alliance
Qantas and British Airways have decided to restructure their long-running Joint Services Agreement (JSA), which will allow both airlines to strengthen their Singapore hub and to provide better connections, products and services to travellers who book flights between London Heathrow and Australia.
Australia’s Qantas will continue its Airbus A380 services from Melbourne and Sydney to London via Singapore, while UK’s flag carrier, British Airways will upgrade its London-Singapore-Sydney operations from a Boeing 777 to Boeing 747. Qantas will also build a new premium lounge at Singapore’s Changi International Airport.
The restructured JSA will consolidate Singapore’s standing as the primary hub in the partnership between both these carriers and will offer them an upper hand in the competitive position in the Asia-Pacific market.
Qantas has announced a five-year plan to stay relevant in the current global airline business, and these JSA developments are part of that plan. The Qantas Group also announced the launch of budget airline for the Japanese market, Jetstar Japan that promises to offer cheap flight tickets. The group has collaborated with Japan Airlines and Mitsubishi Corporation to bring out this new low-cost carrier that will serve travellers who go for cheap tickets on flights.
When it comes to the restructured JSA between Qantas and British Airways, it has been decided that from the start of the year 2012 Qantas will offer flights on Australia-Bangkok and Australia-Hong Kong routes, whereas BA is scheduled to provide Bangkok-London and Hong Kong-London operations.
Qantas will cease its Bangkok-London and Hong Kong-London services and British Airways will conclude its Bangkok-Sydney operations. This is done to aim at maximising the carrier’s respective operational strengths. It has also been announced that BA will increase the frequency of London-Hong Kong flights from 14 per week to 17 per week.
Qantas CEO Alan Joyce observed that it was an opportune time to enhance the Joint Services Agreement.
“Strengthening our relationship with British Airways is an important element of our new strategy for Qantas International,” Mr Joyce was quoted in the company’s press release.
“Singapore will become the focal point of the JSA relationship, with daily Qantas A380 services from Melbourne and Sydney and onward to London, increased British Airways capacity and a new premium lounge.
“The new approach is a smarter use of both airlines’ resources that will enhance our competitive position in Asia and in the Australia-Europe market.
“Regardless of which airline is operating flights between Australia and the United Kingdom, we are focused on delivering a smooth and enjoyable flying experience for passengers. Restructuring the JSA will put us on the front foot in the fiercely competitive Australia-UK air travel market,” Mr Joyce further added.
Australia’s Qantas will continue its Airbus A380 services from Melbourne and Sydney to London via Singapore, while UK’s flag carrier, British Airways will upgrade its London-Singapore-Sydney operations from a Boeing 777 to Boeing 747. Qantas will also build a new premium lounge at Singapore’s Changi International Airport.
The restructured JSA will consolidate Singapore’s standing as the primary hub in the partnership between both these carriers and will offer them an upper hand in the competitive position in the Asia-Pacific market.
Qantas has announced a five-year plan to stay relevant in the current global airline business, and these JSA developments are part of that plan. The Qantas Group also announced the launch of budget airline for the Japanese market, Jetstar Japan that promises to offer cheap flight tickets. The group has collaborated with Japan Airlines and Mitsubishi Corporation to bring out this new low-cost carrier that will serve travellers who go for cheap tickets on flights.
When it comes to the restructured JSA between Qantas and British Airways, it has been decided that from the start of the year 2012 Qantas will offer flights on Australia-Bangkok and Australia-Hong Kong routes, whereas BA is scheduled to provide Bangkok-London and Hong Kong-London operations.
Qantas will cease its Bangkok-London and Hong Kong-London services and British Airways will conclude its Bangkok-Sydney operations. This is done to aim at maximising the carrier’s respective operational strengths. It has also been announced that BA will increase the frequency of London-Hong Kong flights from 14 per week to 17 per week.
Qantas CEO Alan Joyce observed that it was an opportune time to enhance the Joint Services Agreement.
“Strengthening our relationship with British Airways is an important element of our new strategy for Qantas International,” Mr Joyce was quoted in the company’s press release.
“Singapore will become the focal point of the JSA relationship, with daily Qantas A380 services from Melbourne and Sydney and onward to London, increased British Airways capacity and a new premium lounge.
“The new approach is a smarter use of both airlines’ resources that will enhance our competitive position in Asia and in the Australia-Europe market.
“Regardless of which airline is operating flights between Australia and the United Kingdom, we are focused on delivering a smooth and enjoyable flying experience for passengers. Restructuring the JSA will put us on the front foot in the fiercely competitive Australia-UK air travel market,” Mr Joyce further added.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
BA Raises Fuel Surcharge for Third Time in Four Months
British Airways is doing what it does best and that is raising fuel surcharges! For third time in four months, the national carrier of the UK has gone ahead and jacked up the fuel surcharge.
The ‘valuable’ announcement came on Tuesday and will be implied from Friday, 08th April on long-haul flights. British Airways has put the blame on the rising global oil prices for its decision. And oil prices are indeed sky high as unrest continues in Libya, which is one of the leading producers of crude oil in the world.
"Due to the high price of oil, British Airways has today had to announce an increase in its fuel surcharge on long haul travel from Friday, April 8, 2011," BA’s press release stated.
"There will be no increase in the fuel surcharge on domestic and short haul flights," the airline’s press release further read.
Whatever may be the case, this airfare hike does not come as good news for travellers who were hoping to land up with cheap tickets on BA flights this holiday season. With such frequent increase in airline’s ticket prices, BA cheap flights seem more of oxymoron as of now!
Surcharge for flights that take less than nine hours is going to go up by £85, while for flights that take more than nine hours to reach the destined airport, the levy will reach £98. For business and first class passengers on long haul, the surcharge on tickets is going to be more.
The ‘valuable’ announcement came on Tuesday and will be implied from Friday, 08th April on long-haul flights. British Airways has put the blame on the rising global oil prices for its decision. And oil prices are indeed sky high as unrest continues in Libya, which is one of the leading producers of crude oil in the world.
"Due to the high price of oil, British Airways has today had to announce an increase in its fuel surcharge on long haul travel from Friday, April 8, 2011," BA’s press release stated.
"There will be no increase in the fuel surcharge on domestic and short haul flights," the airline’s press release further read.
Whatever may be the case, this airfare hike does not come as good news for travellers who were hoping to land up with cheap tickets on BA flights this holiday season. With such frequent increase in airline’s ticket prices, BA cheap flights seem more of oxymoron as of now!
Surcharge for flights that take less than nine hours is going to go up by £85, while for flights that take more than nine hours to reach the destined airport, the levy will reach £98. For business and first class passengers on long haul, the surcharge on tickets is going to be more.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Travellers Set To Suffer As BA Cabin Crew Votes for Strike
British Airways cabin crew seems to be in no mood of giving up their fight as they vote overwhelmingly in favour of fresh strikes. This is the fourth time the cabin crew has voted for an industrial action in two years.
The dispute between BA and its staff brewed over pay and working conditions but currently the matter seem to be focussed on the decision of the airline to take away travel perks from staff members who participated in previous strikes. BA has witnessed and experienced a total of 22 days of strike last year in which the airline is reported to have lost an estimated £150m. Several flights were also cancelled or delayed creating scenes of chaos at different airports and troubling passengers who bought BA flight tickets.
Unite announced that over 80 percent of the airline’s cabin crew with valid voting papers voted in favour of the strike against the national flag carrier. The date of the strike is yet to be announced by the union but it is likely that the industrial action is going to be called on during the Easter holidays, denting travel plans of hundreds. Several travellers who were lucky enough to procure tickets on cheap flights are sure to be disappointed if the strike indeed ‘strikes’ during Easter holidays, which is a popular travel season and tickets on cheap flights are not easy to come by.
The general secretary of Unite, Len McCluskey was quoted by online sources as stating, "This vote shows that cabin crew remain determined to win justice. We urge BA's boardroom to see this as a clear message that they must think again about how to regain the trust and confidence of a significant part of their cabin crew operation." Len McCluskey further added, "We continue to be in discussions with the company to find a solution to this long-running dispute."
British Airways also seemed in favour of sorting things out peacefully. "We began talks with Unite earlier this month, and those talks are continuing. We hope they will bring an end to this dispute, which is what the overwhelming majority of our cabin crew want," BA was quoted some of the leading news portals.
Keith Williams, BA’s new chief executive, promised that the airline is prepared to face any adverse situation. Mr Williams was confident as he promised that British Airways is going to continue with its long-haul flights from Heathrow, as well as the scheduled services from Gatwick and London City in the event of a strike.
However, Mr McCluskey is surely not on a same page with Mr Williams on this one. Mr McCluskey shrewdly observed, "He (Keith Williams) has no way of knowing what weird and wondrous initiatives we might take should we engage in industrial action."
The dispute between BA and its staff brewed over pay and working conditions but currently the matter seem to be focussed on the decision of the airline to take away travel perks from staff members who participated in previous strikes. BA has witnessed and experienced a total of 22 days of strike last year in which the airline is reported to have lost an estimated £150m. Several flights were also cancelled or delayed creating scenes of chaos at different airports and troubling passengers who bought BA flight tickets.
Unite announced that over 80 percent of the airline’s cabin crew with valid voting papers voted in favour of the strike against the national flag carrier. The date of the strike is yet to be announced by the union but it is likely that the industrial action is going to be called on during the Easter holidays, denting travel plans of hundreds. Several travellers who were lucky enough to procure tickets on cheap flights are sure to be disappointed if the strike indeed ‘strikes’ during Easter holidays, which is a popular travel season and tickets on cheap flights are not easy to come by.
The general secretary of Unite, Len McCluskey was quoted by online sources as stating, "This vote shows that cabin crew remain determined to win justice. We urge BA's boardroom to see this as a clear message that they must think again about how to regain the trust and confidence of a significant part of their cabin crew operation." Len McCluskey further added, "We continue to be in discussions with the company to find a solution to this long-running dispute."
British Airways also seemed in favour of sorting things out peacefully. "We began talks with Unite earlier this month, and those talks are continuing. We hope they will bring an end to this dispute, which is what the overwhelming majority of our cabin crew want," BA was quoted some of the leading news portals.
Keith Williams, BA’s new chief executive, promised that the airline is prepared to face any adverse situation. Mr Williams was confident as he promised that British Airways is going to continue with its long-haul flights from Heathrow, as well as the scheduled services from Gatwick and London City in the event of a strike.
However, Mr McCluskey is surely not on a same page with Mr Williams on this one. Mr McCluskey shrewdly observed, "He (Keith Williams) has no way of knowing what weird and wondrous initiatives we might take should we engage in industrial action."
Monday, March 7, 2011
British Airways Crew Unlikely to Strike during Royal Wedding
Unite, the trade union representing the British Airways cabin crew is likely to rule out industrial action during the royal wedding if the new strike ballot mandate is in the favour of an action against the airline.
Earlier, the general secretary of UK’s largest union, Len McCluskey declined to discount the wedding from the potential strike dates. However it is now understood that Unite does not want to create any hassles during the major public event.
The dispute between the UK’s flag carrier and its crew has been going on for more than a year now, during which British Airways is estimated to have lost some £150 million in more than 20 days of strike apart from causing great deal of trouble to travellers and creating commotion at various airports.
Unite is on the brink of announcing its fourth BA cabin crew strike in nearly 16 months. A strike ballot that took place recently indicated that thousands of the airline’s staff members are unwavering as far as pushing forward the dispute with British Airways is concerned. The ballot, however, was scrapped following a legal challenge by the airline over the validity of the union ballot.
McCluskey, in an interview to the BBC this month, denoted that Unite members might be a bit reluctant to strike during the royal wedding. "It is a bank holiday. I doubt whether many of our members will want to take strike action," McCluskey was quoted. "But, if they do, then it is because they have reached a particular point in their positions at work where they feel they have got no alternative." When asked if he would lend support to the strike action on the royal wedding weekend, he replied: "Absolutely".
However, it is implicit that McCluskey is not likely to approve industrial action during the wedding weekend. Unite is currently preparing to organise the new strike ballot before the end of this month which provides it with a likely closing date at the beginning of April, which in turn exposes the grand royal event to the potential strike if there rolls out a yes vote to the action ballot.
Unite has not ruled out industrial action during Easter, which falls on the weekend before the wedding and is an ideal time for anyone who plans to have refreshing holidays. In fact, many have even booked flight tickets on the airline in order to avoid spiralling ticket costs later as cheap tickets on flights might not be available in plenty during the peak holiday travel period.
British Airways’ lawyers are expected to carefully scrutinise the Unite’s mandate if it is in the favour of a strike action. The union had to declare its last ballot invalid after the airline announced that members who took part in an ‘illegal’ strike would be exposed to dismissal.
It is also considered highly unlikely that the union members will engage in traditional walkouts if they have another mandate supporting strike action. The airline’s plans of recruiting a back-up workforce, and its promise to run 100% of all long-haul flights, has compelled the union into a strategy volte-face and now conventional walkouts are perhaps not likely.
A BA spokesman urged Unite to consider the peace deal that was shaped out last year but was rejected by the union’s branches. "There have been enough ballots. It is time for Unite to return to the deal we negotiated, which leaves our existing Heathrow crew the best rewarded in the UK industry, and to put this dispute behind us," BA’s spokesman was quoted by different online sources as stating.
Earlier, the general secretary of UK’s largest union, Len McCluskey declined to discount the wedding from the potential strike dates. However it is now understood that Unite does not want to create any hassles during the major public event.
The dispute between the UK’s flag carrier and its crew has been going on for more than a year now, during which British Airways is estimated to have lost some £150 million in more than 20 days of strike apart from causing great deal of trouble to travellers and creating commotion at various airports.
Unite is on the brink of announcing its fourth BA cabin crew strike in nearly 16 months. A strike ballot that took place recently indicated that thousands of the airline’s staff members are unwavering as far as pushing forward the dispute with British Airways is concerned. The ballot, however, was scrapped following a legal challenge by the airline over the validity of the union ballot.
McCluskey, in an interview to the BBC this month, denoted that Unite members might be a bit reluctant to strike during the royal wedding. "It is a bank holiday. I doubt whether many of our members will want to take strike action," McCluskey was quoted. "But, if they do, then it is because they have reached a particular point in their positions at work where they feel they have got no alternative." When asked if he would lend support to the strike action on the royal wedding weekend, he replied: "Absolutely".
However, it is implicit that McCluskey is not likely to approve industrial action during the wedding weekend. Unite is currently preparing to organise the new strike ballot before the end of this month which provides it with a likely closing date at the beginning of April, which in turn exposes the grand royal event to the potential strike if there rolls out a yes vote to the action ballot.
Unite has not ruled out industrial action during Easter, which falls on the weekend before the wedding and is an ideal time for anyone who plans to have refreshing holidays. In fact, many have even booked flight tickets on the airline in order to avoid spiralling ticket costs later as cheap tickets on flights might not be available in plenty during the peak holiday travel period.
British Airways’ lawyers are expected to carefully scrutinise the Unite’s mandate if it is in the favour of a strike action. The union had to declare its last ballot invalid after the airline announced that members who took part in an ‘illegal’ strike would be exposed to dismissal.
It is also considered highly unlikely that the union members will engage in traditional walkouts if they have another mandate supporting strike action. The airline’s plans of recruiting a back-up workforce, and its promise to run 100% of all long-haul flights, has compelled the union into a strategy volte-face and now conventional walkouts are perhaps not likely.
A BA spokesman urged Unite to consider the peace deal that was shaped out last year but was rejected by the union’s branches. "There have been enough ballots. It is time for Unite to return to the deal we negotiated, which leaves our existing Heathrow crew the best rewarded in the UK industry, and to put this dispute behind us," BA’s spokesman was quoted by different online sources as stating.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
British Airways Crew Strike Not Likely on Royal Wedding
According to reports, the union that represents the British Airways cabin crew is unlikely to opt for industrial action during the royal wedding if the ballot mandate swings in the favour of a strike.
The prospect of the royal wedding getting disrupted seemed real when previously Len McCluskey, Unite’s general secretary, refused to rule out the royal wedding as a possible strike period. However, now it is believed that Unite wants to steer clear of any controversies during a major public event.
BA and its cabin crew have been engaged in an ongoing feud for more than one year now. The feud has resulted in 22 strikes and a loss of nearly £150 million to the renowned national airline. The strikes had also proved to be a pain in the neck for the travellers who had to negotiate grounded flights as well as chaotic airport scenes.
Unite is yet to take a strike ballot that will decide the course of the action for the union. The union’s earlier ballot that voted in favour of a strike was termed ‘illegal’ by British Airways and was scrapped by the union after the airline warned of dismissals for those taking part.
In an interview given to the BBC this month, McCluskey indicated that the crew members are hesitant to go on a strike during the royal wedding that is slated for the 29th of April. "It is a bank holiday. I doubt whether many of our members will want to take strike action," McCluskey was quoted. "But, if they do, then it is because they have reached a particular point in their positions at work where they feel they have got no alternative." When asked if he would lend support to the strike action on the royal wedding weekend, he replied: "Absolutely".
However, it has to be said that Mr. McCluskey is not likely to give a go ahead for a strike during the royal wedding. The period during Easter and the wedding offers ample time for people to plan out their holidays. Many have even booked tickets on flights to take advantage of the elongated weekends. Many flights are running booked and tickets on cheap flights surely would not be easily available for those who prefer last minute travel plans and ticket hunt.
Meanwhile, BA has urged the union to consider the peace deals that was negotiated last year but was rejected by the union’s branches. "There have been enough ballots. It is time for Unite to return to the deal we negotiated, which leaves our existing Heathrow crew the best rewarded in the UK industry, and to put this dispute behind us," A BA spokesman was quoted as stating by different online sources.
The prospect of the royal wedding getting disrupted seemed real when previously Len McCluskey, Unite’s general secretary, refused to rule out the royal wedding as a possible strike period. However, now it is believed that Unite wants to steer clear of any controversies during a major public event.
BA and its cabin crew have been engaged in an ongoing feud for more than one year now. The feud has resulted in 22 strikes and a loss of nearly £150 million to the renowned national airline. The strikes had also proved to be a pain in the neck for the travellers who had to negotiate grounded flights as well as chaotic airport scenes.
Unite is yet to take a strike ballot that will decide the course of the action for the union. The union’s earlier ballot that voted in favour of a strike was termed ‘illegal’ by British Airways and was scrapped by the union after the airline warned of dismissals for those taking part.
In an interview given to the BBC this month, McCluskey indicated that the crew members are hesitant to go on a strike during the royal wedding that is slated for the 29th of April. "It is a bank holiday. I doubt whether many of our members will want to take strike action," McCluskey was quoted. "But, if they do, then it is because they have reached a particular point in their positions at work where they feel they have got no alternative." When asked if he would lend support to the strike action on the royal wedding weekend, he replied: "Absolutely".
However, it has to be said that Mr. McCluskey is not likely to give a go ahead for a strike during the royal wedding. The period during Easter and the wedding offers ample time for people to plan out their holidays. Many have even booked tickets on flights to take advantage of the elongated weekends. Many flights are running booked and tickets on cheap flights surely would not be easily available for those who prefer last minute travel plans and ticket hunt.
Meanwhile, BA has urged the union to consider the peace deals that was negotiated last year but was rejected by the union’s branches. "There have been enough ballots. It is time for Unite to return to the deal we negotiated, which leaves our existing Heathrow crew the best rewarded in the UK industry, and to put this dispute behind us," A BA spokesman was quoted as stating by different online sources.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
BA’s Cabin Crew Votes for Strike
British Airways is the flag carrier of United Kingdom and is amongst the most flamboyant airlines in the world. But everything is not going properly for the website as the cabin crew has gone on a strike. The entire cabin crew of British Airways once again voted for a strike which is quite bad news for the airlines.
This is quite a bad news for all the visitors who have booked cheap tickets on flights for the Easter vacation. With the long weekends of Easter and the royal wedding in the coming month of April cheap tickets on flights will be quite difficult to find.
The General Secretary designate Mr. Len McCluskey appealed to British Airways for figuring out some sought of negotiations. It quoted on the internet that, “Surely BA management must now wake up and listen to the voice of their skilled and dedicated employees.”
It has been quite long time since the problem between the crew and the company started but now it has surely come to a saturation point with the cabin crew going on a strike. The British Airways has refuted to the union claims of majority support of the cabin crew. It has been found that Unite has lost around 2,500 cabin crew members since the dispute started quite some time ago.
“Even with a smaller membership, the proportion of Unite members supporting disruption continues to fall, contrary to the union's claims,” The airline has said in a statement. The British Airways has insisted that in the event of strike all the ticket holders will not be troubled and all the flights will operate on normal timetables and from different airports as well.
British Airways is amongst the biggest airlines in the world and once it was also rated as the best in the world. But the recent feuds with its crew members has resulted it in falling on its head. It is believed by the company that the feud will surely be solved in the near future and it will start providing flights to people from all across the world.
This is quite a bad news for all the visitors who have booked cheap tickets on flights for the Easter vacation. With the long weekends of Easter and the royal wedding in the coming month of April cheap tickets on flights will be quite difficult to find.
The General Secretary designate Mr. Len McCluskey appealed to British Airways for figuring out some sought of negotiations. It quoted on the internet that, “Surely BA management must now wake up and listen to the voice of their skilled and dedicated employees.”
It has been quite long time since the problem between the crew and the company started but now it has surely come to a saturation point with the cabin crew going on a strike. The British Airways has refuted to the union claims of majority support of the cabin crew. It has been found that Unite has lost around 2,500 cabin crew members since the dispute started quite some time ago.
“Even with a smaller membership, the proportion of Unite members supporting disruption continues to fall, contrary to the union's claims,” The airline has said in a statement. The British Airways has insisted that in the event of strike all the ticket holders will not be troubled and all the flights will operate on normal timetables and from different airports as well.
British Airways is amongst the biggest airlines in the world and once it was also rated as the best in the world. But the recent feuds with its crew members has resulted it in falling on its head. It is believed by the company that the feud will surely be solved in the near future and it will start providing flights to people from all across the world.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Strikes Loom For IAG As It Begins First Day of Trading Today
International Consolidated Airlines Group (IAG) that was created after the merger of British Airways and Iberia made its debut today at the stock market with a valuation of £6.1 billion. IAG shares started trading at 8 a.m. in London, which is the company’s main listing. The company will also be listed in Madrid.
British Airways ended its 24 years of trading on the stock exchange. From Monday, the airline’s shares will be traded under the name of International Airlines Group.
BA and the Spanish giant Iberia will both retain its brand names as part of the deal that is supposed to make them collectively the second largest airline by value after Germany’s Lufthansa. Both the airlines are expected to benefit hugely with the merger as they are likely to save 400 million euros a year by its fifth year of collaboration. Other than that, IAG will now have more than 400 aircrafts and is expected to handle passenger travel traffic of 60 million people annually. IGA will now maintain a network of flights that will connect to more than 200 destinations around the globe.
BA and Iberia also complement each other in terms of operations and especially long-haul flights. British Airways has a major presence in North Atlantic and Iberia is a popular option between Europe and Latin America. Add to it the anti-trust immunity awarded to both the airlines as well as American Airlines for their transatlantic business.
IAG has no plans to rest as it hopes to expand further through some aggressive acquisitions in the near future including some even outside Europe. IAG’s chief executive Willie Walsh believes that the merger is going to be the perfect springboard for further growth of the company.
BA’s Cabin Crew Votes for Strike
However, everything is not hunky dory for the UK’s flag carrier as BA’s cabin crew voted overwhelming in support of another strike as the showdown between Unite and the airline continues. This could be bad news for those travellers who have already landed up with cheap tickets on flights for their Easter vacations. With long weekends of Easter and the royal wedding in April, cheap tickets on flights are indeed few and far between.
Unite’s General Secretary-designate Len McCluskey appealed to BA for negotiations and was quoted by internet sources as stating, “Surely BA management must now wake up and listen to the voice of their skilled and dedicated employees.”
However, BA refuted the union claims of majority support of the cabin crew. "Unite has lost about 2,500 cabin crew members since this dispute started, as crew have voted with their feet. Even with a smaller membership, the proportion of Unite members supporting disruption continues to fall, contrary to the union's claims,” the airline said in a statement.
British Airways insists that even in the event of strike ticket holders shall not be troubled and it will be able to operate almost normal timetables from different airports.
British Airways ended its 24 years of trading on the stock exchange. From Monday, the airline’s shares will be traded under the name of International Airlines Group.
BA and the Spanish giant Iberia will both retain its brand names as part of the deal that is supposed to make them collectively the second largest airline by value after Germany’s Lufthansa. Both the airlines are expected to benefit hugely with the merger as they are likely to save 400 million euros a year by its fifth year of collaboration. Other than that, IAG will now have more than 400 aircrafts and is expected to handle passenger travel traffic of 60 million people annually. IGA will now maintain a network of flights that will connect to more than 200 destinations around the globe.
BA and Iberia also complement each other in terms of operations and especially long-haul flights. British Airways has a major presence in North Atlantic and Iberia is a popular option between Europe and Latin America. Add to it the anti-trust immunity awarded to both the airlines as well as American Airlines for their transatlantic business.
IAG has no plans to rest as it hopes to expand further through some aggressive acquisitions in the near future including some even outside Europe. IAG’s chief executive Willie Walsh believes that the merger is going to be the perfect springboard for further growth of the company.
BA’s Cabin Crew Votes for Strike
However, everything is not hunky dory for the UK’s flag carrier as BA’s cabin crew voted overwhelming in support of another strike as the showdown between Unite and the airline continues. This could be bad news for those travellers who have already landed up with cheap tickets on flights for their Easter vacations. With long weekends of Easter and the royal wedding in April, cheap tickets on flights are indeed few and far between.
Unite’s General Secretary-designate Len McCluskey appealed to BA for negotiations and was quoted by internet sources as stating, “Surely BA management must now wake up and listen to the voice of their skilled and dedicated employees.”
However, BA refuted the union claims of majority support of the cabin crew. "Unite has lost about 2,500 cabin crew members since this dispute started, as crew have voted with their feet. Even with a smaller membership, the proportion of Unite members supporting disruption continues to fall, contrary to the union's claims,” the airline said in a statement.
British Airways insists that even in the event of strike ticket holders shall not be troubled and it will be able to operate almost normal timetables from different airports.