9th Oct 2006 08:45
British Airways PLC09 October 2006 COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR RESIGNS Martin George, Commercial Director, has today resigned his position with theairline. He has been on leave of absence since June 2006 when the Office ofFair Trading and the US Department of Justice began an investigation focused onlong-haul passenger fuel surcharges. Iain Burns, British Airways' Head ofCommunications, has also resigned with immediate effect. In a letter to Martin Broughton, Chairman of British Airways, Martin Georgesaid: "It is with regret that I notify you of my decision to step down as CommercialDirector of British Airways with effect from the above date. This decisionapplies both to my position as an employee of British Airways Plc and as adirector on the main and subsidiary company boards of the British Airways group. "I now recognise that within my department, there may have been inappropriateconversations in violation of Company policy in relation to long haul fuelsurcharges. I was not involved in such conversations. Although the Board of BAhave not found that I have behaved in a dishonest way, I fully recognise myresponsibilities as Head of Department and as a Board Director. "As you know, becoming a Board Member of British Airways has been the highlightof my career so far. I remain committed to doing what I can in the interests ofthe airline, to which I have dedicated my last 19 working years. I have alwaystaken my responsibilities as a Director and Board Member very seriously and Itherefore depart with deep regret, whilst believing that departing is, in thesecircumstances and for these reasons, nevertheless, the right course." Robert Boyle, British Airways' Director of Planning, has been appointedCommercial Director with immediate effect. Thomas Coops, former Communications Director at Abbey National has beenappointed interim Head of Corporate and Media Relations. He will be responsiblefor providing communications advice to the Company and managing Media Relations.He replaces Iain Burns. Ends 9 October 2006 103/KG/2006 Certain information included in this statement may be forward-looking andinvolves risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differmaterially from those expressed or implied by the forward looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, projections relating toresults of operations and financial conditions and the Company's plans andobjectives for future operations, including, without limitation, expected futurerevenues, financing plans and expected expenditures and divestments. Anyforward-looking statements in this announcement are based upon information knownto the Company on the date of this announcement. The Company undertakes noobligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whetheras a result of new information, future events or otherwise. It is not reasonably possible to itemise all of the many factors and specificevents that could cause the Company's forward looking statements to be incorrector that could otherwise have a material adverse effect on the future operationsor results of an airline operating in the global economy. Information on somefactors which could result in material difference to the results is available inthe Company's SEC filings, including, without limitation the Company's Report onForm 20-F for the year ended March, 2006. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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