British Airways might be planning to introduce a new budget airline in Europe, operating alongside its existing long-haul services at London Gatwick. This move aims to offer highly competitive short-haul flights before summer 2022.
British Airways has a significant impact on the aviation industry, particularly in the pilot job market. To address the growing demand for skilled aviators, the company launched the Speedbird Pilot Academy, a three-year initiative aimed at training and hiring aspiring pilots. The fully-funded program is open for applications until 2025 and guarantees a job with British Airways upon successful completion. This training program has attracted over 20,000 applicants since its inception.
Improving the fleet and operations is also a focus for British Airways. They operate a diverse fleet of modern and fuel-efficient Airbus and Boeing aircraft, with a constant effort to meet passenger demand and optimize efficiency. The airline continues to modify its international routes and frequencies to align with this strategy.
Despite these initiatives, British Airways has experienced significant financial losses in the last 18 months due to the pandemic's impact on air travel. The company reported a first-half loss of €2.3 billion (approximately $2.7 billion USD), mostly attributable to British Airways' Heathrow hub, which suffered thanks to the cancellation of popular Transatlantic routes.
Competitor airlines, such as Ryanair and easyJet, anticipate a summer 2022 passenger recovery between 60% to 80%, which is higher than IAG's forecast of 45%. British Airways' union, the British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA), has confirmed discussions regarding salary adjustments and new pilot conditions for the potential new operations. BALPA's Secretary General, Martin Chalk, welcomed the venture, stating it would create many required new pilot jobs.
The cost implications of this new venture will rise significantly as the British government's furlough program ends at the end of September, leading to a potential rise in wage and salary costs. However, the details surrounding this move have not been disclosed yet.
