BA resumes plans for short-haul, low-cost Gatwick service

LONDON, Oct 7 (Reuters) - British Airways said it would push
ahead with plans for a short-haul service at London's no.2
airport Gatwick after pilots backed the move for a new low-cost
unit that could better compete with rivals like easyJet.

The decision marks a change of direction after the airline,
owned by IAG, said two weeks ago it would scrap its
plans for a new service, blaming pilots for rejecting the
proposal. Shares in easyJet were down 2.5%.

However BA will still have to consult with other unions and
stakeholders before deciding whether to definitely go ahead.

"We will now further develop our proposal to provide a
full-service short-haul subsidiary operation at Gatwick,
offering competitive fares to our customers," it said in a
statement.

"We will continue discussions with our colleagues, trade
unions, suppliers and other stakeholders, following this
positive result, and if we can agree a way forward with all
parties, we would hope to begin operations next summer."?

BA is rebuilding its operations after it retrenched during
the pandemic, shifting most of its flying to its main hub at
Britain's biggest airport Heathrow.

It had said it would only rebuild its European network from
Gatwick, where easyJet is the biggest airline, if it could make
it profitable.

The British Airline Pilots' Association (BALPA) said it had
now concluded an agreement with BA over pay and working
conditions.

Acting General Secretary at BALPA, Martin Chalk, said the
agreement was now BA's preferred option for Gatwick.

"We understand BA is continuing its discussions with other
stakeholders with a view to relaunching operations next
summer. We expect BA to reach a final decision shortly."
(Reporting by Kate Holton, Editing by Paul Sandle)