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BA managers leave after T5 fiasco BA managers leave after T5 fiasco
(20 minutes later)
British Airways has said that two of its senior executives will leave the company after the opening of its Terminal 5 was dogged by problems.British Airways has said that two of its senior executives will leave the company after the opening of its Terminal 5 was dogged by problems.
BA said Gareth Kirkwood, director of operations, and David Noyes, director of customer services, would be leaving.BA said Gareth Kirkwood, director of operations, and David Noyes, director of customer services, would be leaving.
The company said it would now look to appoint one person to cover both roles.The company said it would now look to appoint one person to cover both roles.
The opening of Terminal 5 was beset by a catalogue of problems, with staff not able to get into work, thousands of bags mislaid, and flights cancelled.The opening of Terminal 5 was beset by a catalogue of problems, with staff not able to get into work, thousands of bags mislaid, and flights cancelled.
A BA spokesperson declined to say whether the two had chosen to go or were asked to leave.A BA spokesperson declined to say whether the two had chosen to go or were asked to leave.
The departures follow the airline's move to Terminal 5 BA statement T5 insurance cover cutSee BA sharesThe departures follow the airline's move to Terminal 5 BA statement T5 insurance cover cutSee BA shares
The BBC's transport correspondent Tom Symonds said he believed they had paid the price for BA's inability to explain what had gone wrong on the first day at Terminal 5.The BBC's transport correspondent Tom Symonds said he believed they had paid the price for BA's inability to explain what had gone wrong on the first day at Terminal 5.
He added that BA boss Willie Walsh was not yet "out of the firing line" with BA shareholders set to meet management this week to discuss the problems at the new terminal.He added that BA boss Willie Walsh was not yet "out of the firing line" with BA shareholders set to meet management this week to discuss the problems at the new terminal.
Mr Walsh took responsibility for the problems at the £4.3bn terminal, saying that its opening was not the company's finest hour.Mr Walsh took responsibility for the problems at the £4.3bn terminal, saying that its opening was not the company's finest hour.
John Strickland, director at air transport consultancy JLS, said there seemed to be "a lack of communication about the problems involved in the run up to the opening of the new terminal".John Strickland, director at air transport consultancy JLS, said there seemed to be "a lack of communication about the problems involved in the run up to the opening of the new terminal".
But Mr Strickland said he did believe Mr Walsh should step down. He said Mr Walsh had a strong track record and that BA needed continuity of management to pilot it through a period of strike threats, high fuel costs and increasing competition on the lucrative transatlantic route. But Mr Strickland said he did not believe Mr Walsh should step down.
He said Mr Walsh had a strong track record and that BA needed continuity of management to pilot it through a period of strike threats, high fuel costs and increasing competition on the lucrative transatlantic route.
Shares in the airline, a FTSE 100 company, were trading 4.5 pence, or 2%, lower at 211 pence, after earlier touching a 12-month low of 209p.Shares in the airline, a FTSE 100 company, were trading 4.5 pence, or 2%, lower at 211 pence, after earlier touching a 12-month low of 209p.
Catastrophic debutCatastrophic debut
Terminal 5 opened on 27 March, but was not able to offer its full short-haul schedule until 8 April.Terminal 5 opened on 27 March, but was not able to offer its full short-haul schedule until 8 April.
T5 was meant to showcase the best of what Britain has to offerT5 was meant to showcase the best of what Britain has to offer
One consequence of the delays at Terminal 5 has been that BA is not able to move its long-haul operations to the new building from Terminal 4 as scheduled on 30 April.One consequence of the delays at Terminal 5 has been that BA is not able to move its long-haul operations to the new building from Terminal 4 as scheduled on 30 April.
It has yet to set a fixed date for the move, saying that it will get underway some time in June.It has yet to set a fixed date for the move, saying that it will get underway some time in June.
But it is likely the transfer will be staggered over a number of months, possibly not finishing until October, said Mr Walsh on Monday.But it is likely the transfer will be staggered over a number of months, possibly not finishing until October, said Mr Walsh on Monday.
BA has been criticised by rival carriers, many of whom were scheduled to move into Terminal 4 once the UK carrier had gone.BA has been criticised by rival carriers, many of whom were scheduled to move into Terminal 4 once the UK carrier had gone.
Those due to move into Terminal 4 include Air France-KLM, Delta and Continental Airlines.Those due to move into Terminal 4 include Air France-KLM, Delta and Continental Airlines.
BA said the problems at T5 had cost it at least £16m so far.BA said the problems at T5 had cost it at least £16m so far.
In a short statement announcing the management changes, BA said the duo's "departures follow the airline's move to Terminal 5".In a short statement announcing the management changes, BA said the duo's "departures follow the airline's move to Terminal 5".