BAA to axe 700 jobs
Airport operator BAA is shedding 700 jobs at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted as it looks to save £45 million a year.
It said back office and management roles will be axed over the next two and a half years although it stressed security staff will not be reduced.
News of the job losses emerged as BAA reported encouraging half-year results to September 30 despite an economy slowdown, the London bombings and wildcat strikes at Heathrow.
Underlying profit climbed 9.2% to £412 million while retail income increased 3.8% to £324 million.
Overall passenger numbers rose 2.5% to 82.3 million, leading to a revenue increase of 6.4% to £1.17 billion.
Traffic through Heathrow in the six months remained static at 35.8 million, largely due to the bombings and strikes, although operating profit increased more than 13% to £233 million.
Gatwick volumes rose almost 3% to 19.1 million but operating profit remained flat at £74 million.
At Stansted meanwhile, passenger numbers increased 6.3% with a rise in operating profit of 3.4% to £30 million.
BAA said scheduled services are continuing to grow at the expense of the charter market while long haul services are also expanding.
Report by Steve Jones
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026