British Airways pulls out of Brum

Nov 3 2006 By Edward Stephens, Birmingham Mail

BRITISH Airways is pulling out of Birmingham after more than 60 years.

The airline announced today that it is selling off its subsiduary airline BA Connect to Flybe.

BA Connect operates all the services from Birmingham, Manchester, Inverness and London City Airport, although London City is not included in the sale.

In April, when BA Connect was launched, British Airways chief executive Willie Walsh said it would have two years to make a profit or face closure - but the end has come after just seven months.

BA staff at Birmingham knew the future looked grim, but were today still stunned by the news. One said: "It's a bit like the death of an elderly relative. You know it's going to happen but it's still a shock."

BA Connect has a total of 1,900 employees, 400 of whom work at Birmingham. Many will transfer to Flybe. The airline operates 15 domestic and European routes from Birmingham.

Mr Walsh said today: "The proposed sale to Flybe provides the best opportunity to secure the long-term future for the many dedicated staff in BA Connect. British Airways will have a 15 per cent investment in Flybe on completion."

It is envisaged that once the sale of the regional business of BA Connect to Flybe is completed, there will be a transition until the start of the summer schedule while the handover is undertaken.

Flybe plans to accelerate its current fleet renewal programme and will phase out all of the existing BA Connect fleet as soon as possible.

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