Walsh lays down two-year deadline for CitiExpress
British Airways will give its new-look CitiExpress regional carrier two years to turn round its ailing fortunes – or face closure.
Chief executive Willie Walsh set the timeframe as BA revealed plans to rebrand the airline BA Connect, scrap business class seats and slash fares to compete with low cost carriers.
Walsh, openly critical of the airline’s performance, was upbeat about its chances, but brutally frank about the consequences if it fails.
“I really think they have a business plan here that can work,” he is quoted as saying. “But if is doesn’t it will be closed. The regional business doesn’t feed anything into the rest of the airline and it can’t carry on as a loss-making entity.”
Managing director David Evans said the restructure was “the first ball of the test” rather a last throw of the dice.
BA Connect, which will take to the skies on March 26, will aim to increase last year’s carryings of 3.5 million by 10%.
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