pauldb

I can’t help but wonder if there’s a political angle to this. How many redundancies will they tell the government can be avoided if other airlines aren’t saved?

surryson

On the contrary. A company drawing down on a Government Job Retention Scheme, whilst preparing to make staff redundant is an interesting approach.

Saint4805

I think it's just BA/IAG getting in quick and allowing the Government (or taxpayer) to pay for the majority of the affected employees' notice periods via the furlough scheme while it runs until June. It will essentially slash the airline's restructuring costs. If it helps ensure the airline's long term survival then I can see why they have acted so quickly.

That aside, very sad news for all affected.

diamantaire

Really sad news, best wishes (for the future) to those who might be affected.
hope some solution can we worked out here !!

BAeuro

If BA needs Government support they should apply and get it. Wizz Air has and they aren’t exactly the biggest or most important UK airline.

13901

My point was that BA was specifically mentioned in the IAG press release but no other airline (or, God forbid, IAG's office itself) was... it was a bit odd.

Killian_S

I have a little bit of knowledge here as my company is (one of several) working with IAG on some of these plans. While I won’t go into detail and don’t wish to, the plan is very much to try and save as many roles in BA as it possibly can, but given airline sustainability and demand curve modelling, there will need to be a complete reshaping of the business. No choice if there is to be a BA in 3-5 years time. The airline in the short- / medium-term will be a functional one, as opposed to a bells-and-whistles carrier. My own personal opinion is that passenger enhancements and value-add services will be pared back significantly or dispensed with altogether. If it saves 1 job, then that will be fine for many people I’m sure.

I must say, after being quite negative on BA when flying with them, but now actually working alongside them in a crisis, BA have some truly amazing people working for them.

Bohinjska Bistrica

Balpa is doing what its members expect (and pay for) it to do.

You and I know they won't be able to save every job for a number of different reasons, but throwing the towel in early doors isn't an option.
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Oaxaca

If BA’s credit rating is sufficient, it could issue commercial paper under the CCFF in the same way as Wizz proposes to, and easyJet has also done.

Misco60

Announcing so many redundancies just two months after distributing £600m to shareholders leaves a very bad taste.

I sincerely hope that this is bluster, in an attempt to get government support.

andymcdonnell

Terribly sad but not entirely unsurprising news. I think all of us, despite our gripes over catering or outdated seats or BOB etc can empathise with those effected & particularly the amazing front line people we meet every time we fly.

Fingers crossed they all find alternative employment soon

Oaxaca

It is unusual, but I would guess driven by legal constraints over timing of such announcements in different jurisdictions. I suppose a political angle to exert some sort of pressure on the UK govt is possible, but IAG has pretty high level govt access in the UK without conducting its business in public. Still we are in a time when nothing is normal...it’s terrible news for the staff, and for the industry.

BAeuro

I agree with you completely.

My only fear is that if they become more functional and no frills, people will just fly other airlines, leading to more bad news...

Dan72

I think people are reading too much into the absence of any mention of other IAG carriers. Sadly I expect that will come, but possibly caught up in other countries' rules on redundancy/severance notification process, which are typically quite specifically prescribed. Sadly I expect VY would take a hit, given tourism will take a knock.

I mentioned above that hopefully the process is voluntary for as many as possible. I thought that this would be a tall order, but at least for crew, perhaps not as much. We have heard before about a lot of churn on mixed fleet and a steady stream doing the job for 1-2 years before jumping. I also expect the experience of COVID will have prompted some to consider doing something else. Perhaps for many, and ideally all, the offer of severance will be welcome, (ie because they had already decided to move on).

Can I help you

Me too.