BA bosses under fire from pilots union
The main union representing pilots working for British Airways has accused the airline’s management of “taking the eye off the ballâ€.
The British Airline Pilots Association – in dispute with BA over the creation of its OpenSkies subsidiary – called on the Government to hold the airline’s bosses “to accountâ€.
In an open letter to City institutions and the Government, the union claimed that the problems surrounding the opening of Heathrow Terminal 5 were “symptomatic of BA’s loss of focus in delivering a sound operationâ€.
It went on: “This airline can and should make Britain proud but a fundamental change of attitude is required from the very highest levels of BA management.â€
BAPLA said it was with “great sorrow and acute embarrassment†that they have had to witness the “unhappy, distressing shambles†that the opening of T5 has become.
BA was accused of being a “laughing stock†due to a catalogue of woes, including lost baggage prior to the T5 opening.
The letter, from the union’s general secretary Jim McAuslan, said: “This month sees a massive increase in direct competition on BA’s most lucrative routes from the home base of Heathrow. Was also see consolidation in this industry on an unprecedented scale; consolidation in the likes of Air France and KLm that has yielded benefits from synergies of a level way beyond simple direct cost reduction.
“And BA’s response? Messing up its home base and dabbling with aircraft operating from Paris and London City to New York.â€
BALPA went on to claim that the country’s reputation had been harmed and support for a thirds runway at Heathrow had taken a “direct hit†as a result of the T5 problems.
by Phil Davies
Chitra Mogul
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