BA to forge better links with corporate sector
ITM National Conference Special: British Airways has pledged to forge closer relationships with the corporate sector after 12 months of cost-cutting. UK and Ireland head of sales and marketing Tiffany Hall said it had spent the last year stripping out costs “which did not add value to the corporate customer” but was now ready to switch focus. “We want to spent time on our customers. That’s our focus,” Hall told delegates at the Institute of Travel Management conference in South Wales last week. “We believe in working closely with our trade partners and we are trying to work closely with our key Travel Management Companies.” Hall added that BA would continue to offer all booking options for customers – predicting internet bookings for simple point-to-point flights will continue to grow. “But I still believe many people will come on the phone for more complicated flights,” she said. In an upbeat message at the conference, BTI managing director Mike Platt said business agents were poised for a good year. “In 15 years I have never felt more optimistic. Customer are flying again,” he said. “If we sell value we could have a fabulous future. The actual booking is the tip of the iceberg. So much more goes round that booking.” But he said the industry was continuing to play “pass the parcel” with costs – with the corporate customer the loser. “They (corporates) want to know in no uncertain terms where the costs are,” said Platt. Report by Steve Jones
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