BA facing a fierce fight at Heathrow
America’s Delta Air Lines teams up with Air France to take on British Airways
at Heathrow. The pair are expected to announce their first-ever transatlantic
flights from the London airport. Delta is likely to serve New York, Atlanta
and one other American city, with Air France studying a Los Angeles service.
government for approval to share revenue and coordinate fares and schedules on
all transatlantic routes. This arrangement could include America’s Northwest
Airlines and Holland’s KLM, which are also part of Skyteam.
Britain and the US stipulated that only 4 airlines – BA, Virgin, United and American
– could fly to the US from Britain’s largest hub.
fares. "The UK-US market is worth around £4 billion a year, and it is growing
fast," one analyst said.
fares. I doubt you will see a big reduction in economy prices. What BA fears
most is business-class tickets going down."
BA is to announce details of "Project Lauren" – its new flights from continental
capitals to America – in late November or early December. An organisation called
Project Lauren has begun advertising online for suitable pilots. A source at
BA confirmed this was for the proposed service.
mounting that it would be called "Speedbird" – the airline’s radio call sign.
BA said yesterday it had not yet decided how the new operation would be branded.
two European cities.