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| BA boss advises urgency in resolving UK airport capacity question | BA boss advises urgency in resolving UK airport capacity question |
| (4 months later) | |
| The boss of British Airways has claimed that the question of hub airport capacity needed resolving urgently if UK citizens were to "sustain a decent standard of living in decades to come". | The boss of British Airways has claimed that the question of hub airport capacity needed resolving urgently if UK citizens were to "sustain a decent standard of living in decades to come". |
| Keith Matthews, chief executive of the national flag carrier, said that BA itself was now in an enviable position after the acquisition of bmi gave it 42 slots at Heathrow, and could "get on with what we need to get on with it". | Keith Matthews, chief executive of the national flag carrier, said that BA itself was now in an enviable position after the acquisition of bmi gave it 42 slots at Heathrow, and could "get on with what we need to get on with it". |
| But, he added: "This is an issue not for aviation but the UK." | But, he added: "This is an issue not for aviation but the UK." |
| Referring to the new commission set up by the government to address airport capacity, led by Sir Howard Davies, he said: "However relaxed the deadlines set for him, time is not on the country's side." | Referring to the new commission set up by the government to address airport capacity, led by Sir Howard Davies, he said: "However relaxed the deadlines set for him, time is not on the country's side." |
| Williams, who took over after the merger with Iberia saw former BA chief Willie Walsh take the helm of the newly formed IAG, has been seen as a more conciliatory figure after Walsh's clashes with unions. But in a speech to the Aviation Club in London he hinted that the era of BA cost-cutting was far from over. | Williams, who took over after the merger with Iberia saw former BA chief Willie Walsh take the helm of the newly formed IAG, has been seen as a more conciliatory figure after Walsh's clashes with unions. But in a speech to the Aviation Club in London he hinted that the era of BA cost-cutting was far from over. |
| He said the industry had "added capacity beyond sustainable levels … and failed to bring our costs into line". | He said the industry had "added capacity beyond sustainable levels … and failed to bring our costs into line". |
| "There are welcome signs of a returning sense of discipline and also realism about the challenges ahead. British Airways was not – and is not today – immune from these challenges." | "There are welcome signs of a returning sense of discipline and also realism about the challenges ahead. British Airways was not – and is not today – immune from these challenges." |
| Williams also claimed the BA brand was "getting back to where it belongs" and pointed to "accolades" for its TV commercial urging people to support the home team and not to fly during the Olympics – despite some in the industry querying the wisdom of the key message. Passenger numbers at Heathrow, where BA is the dominant airline, fell during July and August, while other airports reported gains. | Williams also claimed the BA brand was "getting back to where it belongs" and pointed to "accolades" for its TV commercial urging people to support the home team and not to fly during the Olympics – despite some in the industry querying the wisdom of the key message. Passenger numbers at Heathrow, where BA is the dominant airline, fell during July and August, while other airports reported gains. |
| Williams praised the Heathrow Olympic operation but fired a warning shot to the UK Border Agency after signs that passport queues – which all but disappeared during the Games – were starting to return to the levels that garnered unfavourable global headlines earlier in the year. Citing passenger complaints of renewed waits at immigration, he said: "If that [Olympic] performance is not maintained, we will do something about it, and tell the public." | Williams praised the Heathrow Olympic operation but fired a warning shot to the UK Border Agency after signs that passport queues – which all but disappeared during the Games – were starting to return to the levels that garnered unfavourable global headlines earlier in the year. Citing passenger complaints of renewed waits at immigration, he said: "If that [Olympic] performance is not maintained, we will do something about it, and tell the public." |
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