11th Apr 2008 10:00
British Airways PLC11 April 2008 BAA/BA Joint Statement on Terminal 5 BAA and British Airways today announced that the planned move of the airline'slong haul services from Terminal Four at Heathrow to Terminal Five will bedeferred until June. While a normal flight schedule has been operated at Terminal 5 since Tuesday, wewant to ensure that customers can be confident of high service standards whenadditional flights are introduced. We will work together to iron out any remaining problems, including the baggagesystem and its operation, and develop a robust timescale for phasing the move ofTerminal 4 services into Terminal 5. Willie Walsh, BA's Chief Executive said: "We are making this decision in theinterests of customers. Though Terminal Five is now working well, we need tohave confidence that good service can be maintained when the terminal ishandling larger numbers of customers. "It is only sensible to ensure that Terminal 5 is operating consistently at ahigh standard before the move begins." Colin Matthews, BAA's Chief Executive, said: "BAA regrets this postponement,and we recognize the impact it has on other airlines, but we believe it is awise precaution to ensure that passengers can have the maximum confidence oncethe move does take place. "We will be working very closely with BA in the intervening period to ensurethat result, as well as working with the other airlines to mitigate as much aspossible the knock-on effects." "BAA fully recognizes that the inauguration of Terminal Five has not been assmooth as we and BA would have wished. In the last few days passengers have seensignificant improvement and our goal is to complete that process as soon aspossible before continuing the next phase of transforming the rest of theairport." ends April 11, 2008 048/PM/08 Notes to editors 1. Under original plans, almost all British Airways' Terminal 4 long-haul services were due to switch to Terminal 5 on April 30. These total about 60 departures and 60 arrivals per day. 2. Customers who will fly from Terminal 4 rather than Terminal 5 as a result of this postponement will be contacted shortly. 3. For further information, contact BAA on 020 8745 7224 or British Airways on 020 8738 5100. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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