A NUMBER of British Airways flights between Edinburgh and London's airports are to be cut.
As first revealed by the Evening News in June, the airline's shuttle services to London will be cut as it faces up to soaring fuel prices and the economic slowdown.
Although none of the routes will be cut completely, the frequency of flights to H
eathrow, Gatwick and London City will be reduced over its winter schedule.
The frequency of BA services from all Scottish airports will fall by an average of about 6 per cent over its winter schedule.
The company said today that the aviation industry is facing up to the "worst trading environment" ever seen, after it revealed that its profits for the first half of the year had tumbled by 90 per cent, to £37 million.
Chief executive Willie Walsh said the combination of "unprecedented" oil prices, the economic slowdown and weaker consumer confidence had contributed to profits sliding by £261 million to just £37m in the first half.
The figures come just days after budget airline Ryanair warned it could face a full-year loss after profits in the first quarter fell 85 per cent to £16.6m.
"We are in the worst trading environment the industry has ever faced," said Mr Walsh.
He added that BA is currently spending more than £8m on fuel every day after fuel costs rose by £233m in the quarter to £706m.
"We have reduced capacity in the winter schedule without compromising our network and at the same time we have the flexibility in the business to capitalise when conditions improve.
"We have revised our capital expenditure plans and are focusing on cost control."
BA also had to endure a catastrophic opening of Heathrow's Terminal 5 in March this year, with flights cancelled, bags going astray and huge queues.
The full article contains 312 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
