UPDATE 1-EasyJet June passengers rise 9.4 pct

July 7, 2010 By Leave a Comment

LONDON, July 6 (Reuters) – British budget airline easyJet (EZJ.L) flew 9.4 percent more passengers in June year-on-year, its largest monthly increase since before flights were interrupted by a volcanic ash cloud from Iceland in April. The airline carried 4.54 million passenger in June, up from 4.15 million a year ago, while its load factor — a measure of how it fills its planes — increased 0.9 percentage points to 87.2 percent.

Passenger numbers at rival Ryanair (RYA.I) rose 15 percent in June, the Irish airline said on Monday, while they fell 11.1 percent at strike-hit British Airways (BAY.L). [ID:nWLA7687] [ID:nLDE6640HR]

(Reporting by Paul Sandle, Editing by Rosalba O’Brien)

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British Airways becomes worst UK airline to lose luggage

June 4, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, June 4 (ANI): British Airways has topped the list of UK airlines for losing, delaying and damaging passengers’ luggage, according to a survey.

The airline image has suffered a blow after the survey, as it has already endured months of strike chaos and resultant financial turmoil.

Based on responses from more than 2,000 recent flyers across the UK, the survey showed that one in 3.8 British Airways passengers has had their checked luggage lost, delayed or damaged in the last five years, The Scotsman reports.

UK-based airlines made up seven of the eight worst airlines for luggage difficulties. Virgin Atlantic was named second-worst airline with one in 8.3 passengers having luggage problems.

Third was Dubai-based carrier Emirates (one in nine passengers affected), fourth was easyJet (one in 11.1) and fifth was Ryanair (one in 12.5).

Overall in the UK only a quarter of those airline passengers whose luggage was damaged received compensation from the airline, according to the survey by insurance company LV, The Scotsman reports.

Those who were compensated received an average of just 72 pounds for their damage. Thirty per cent of travellers waited three months or more to be compensated for their damaged luggage.

A total of 38 per cent had to wait for between one week and a month, while just 20 per cent were compensated for the damage within a week.

When it comes to lost luggage, only 27 per cent were reunited with their bags within 24 hours, the paper reports.

British Airways branded the statistics quoted in the survey as ludicrous, and said: “The claims made in the LV press release are complete rubbish. There is absolutely no evidence to suggest that a quarter of BA passengers have experienced lost or delayed baggage over the last five years.”

Worst airlines for lost luggage

1. British Airways: one in 3.8 passengers

2. Virgin Atlantic: one in 8.3 passengers

3. Emirates: one in 9 passengers

4 EasyJet: one in 11.1 passengers

5. Ryanair: one in 12.5 passengers

6. Thomas Cook: one in 14.2 passengers

7. Bmi: one in 16.6 passengers

8. Bmibaby: one in 20 passengers (ANI)

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British Airways, Iberia sign merger deal

April 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

British Airways and the Spanish airline Iberia have signed a merger deal, creating one of the world’s biggest airline groups.

The new company will be called International Airlines Group, but the BA and Iberia brands will continue to operate as normal.

The merger follows two tough years for the airline industry, profit losses and industrial disputes.

It is expected to save the airlines $576 million.

But chief executive of budget airline Ryanair, Michael O’Leary, is sceptical.

“It’s a bit like two drunks staggering home from the pub, holding, propping each other up so they don’t fall down,” he said.

BA shareholders will retain 55 per cent ownership of the company.

The deal should be completed by the end of the year.

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Virgin airline reports near-doubling of profits in 2008/2009

May 26, 2009 By Leave a Comment

London – British airline Virgin Atlantic said Tuesday it nearly doubled pre-tax profits in the last year to 68.4 million pounds (108.5 million dollars).

The airline said profits soared from 34.8 million pounds in the previous financial year.

The figures up to the end of February, 2009, are in stark contrast to the record annual operating loss of 401 million pounds reported by rival British Airways last week.

Virgin said it spent almost 1 billion pounds on fuel last year, but profits were aided by its hedging of oil prices. (dpa)

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