The Nation Newspaper

Tag: BA

  • British Airways rewards top sales agent 

    British Airways has awarded its top sales agent Finchglow Travel Agency in the West African sub-region for its contribution to the airline’s performance in 2018.

    The agency was awarded a plaque, certificate and  a business class ticket to any location on British Airways network.

    British Airways Regional Commercial Manager, Kola Olayinka said: “Our partners are an extension of our BA family and we have a strong standing relationship that we value with each and every one of them, new and old. We are always delighted to celebrate the hard work and dedication shown by them and this particular honour goes to Finchglow Travel Agency.”

    Finchglow Travel Agency Group Managing Director Bankole Bernard reaffirmed the firm’s commitment to BA.

     

  • BA set to upgrade cabin from £6.5 Billion investment

    All is set for the British Airways to make changes to the onboard product and service in its First cabin as part of its £6.5bn investment for customers.

    The new look will take off on March 31, and includes new bedding, amenities and menus.

    British Airways Regional Commercial Manager West Africa, Kola Olayinka said the airline’s First customers will also be offered male and female loungewear designed by luxury British fashion brand Temperley London.

    “The loungewear will be coupled with bespoke British Airways amenity bags, featuring Temperley’s “Star” design and the bags will be filled with products from ELEMIS, including products from Ultra Smart Pro-Collagen range.

    “The amenity kit contains the essentials to cleanse, revive and hydrate.

    “The airline’s chefs have also designed new A La Carte menus that focus on fresh seasonal ingredients of British provenance.

    “The new menus will be served on bone china crockery, designed exclusively for the airline by William Edwards. The new tableware will be accompanied by contemporary cutlery from Studio William.

    “The airline will also be introducing a new signature afternoon tea service, showcasing the British tradition of high tea. The menu will include a selection sandwiches, delicate pastries and scones, as well as a wide range of tea infusions,” he said.

    He also noted that as part of the changes, British Airways is also investing in new Dartington glassware. Travellers will now be able to enjoy the airline’s fine wines and champagnes from sophisticated stemware, while soft drinks and spirits will be served from elegant cut-glass tumblers.

    Explaining further he added that “In this, our centenary year, we’ve sought out some of the best British designers and manufacturers to work with to ensure travelling in First with British Airways is an unforgettable experience.”

    The airline’s First customers will benefit from an improved turndown service for the perfect night’s sleep, thanks to new luxurious 400 thread count bedding, accompanied by a foam fibre mattress topper. Customers will also receive a stylish new day blanket and bolster cushion.

    “And those wishing to relax and enjoy the 1,000 hours of programmes available on the in-flight entertainment channels, can do so through high performance headphones crafted by Meridian, the British Pioneers of High Resolution audio.

    “British Airways’ First customers continue to have access to the airline’s exclusive First Wing at Heathrow Terminal 5. Re-designed and unveiled in 2017, the First Wing provides customers with a private check-in area leading through to dedicated security lanes, which grant customers direct access to British Airways’ prestigious First Lounge.”

  • Valentine: BA extends romance to travellers

    As part of this year’s valentine celebration, British Airways has announced attractive return fares to London with offers as low as $169 in Economy Class and $2009 in Business Class.

    The airline says the Valentine incentive is for customers travelling the Lagos – London route or the Abuja – London route.

    According to Kola Olayinka, British Airways Regional Manager for West Africa, this is meant to spur customers to create new moment and spend time with their loved ones: “In the spirit of the valentine season, British Airways wants to show appreciation to its customers hence these promotional fares. We want them to create new moment as they travel this season and spend time with their loved ones,” he said.

    He explained that the offer, which ends on February 28, 2019 are available for outbound travel between now and March 24, 2019, with a minimum stay of three days and maximum stay of 12 months.

    The international flag carrier in the United Kingdom, recently celebrated a hundred years of operation with style.

  • Centenary celebration: BA gives colour to B747

    British Airways is about to enjoy a protracted Valentine’s celebration with two iconic ceremonies happening in the love month; 100-year birthday of British Airways and 50th anniversary of the first Boeing 747.

    As part of its 100-year birthday which coincides with the 50th anniversary of the first Boeing 747 flight, BA will be painting a Boeing 747 in the much-admired design of its predecessor, British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC).

    The livery from the 1964 – 1974 BOAC era will adorn a B747, reg: G-BYGC which is expected to leave the paint shop in Dublin and arrive Heathrow on February 18, before entering service the following day.

    The BOAC 747 will be the first aircraft to receive a popular design from British Airways’ past with more details of further designs to be revealed in due course.  Aircraft which receive the retro liveries will fly British Airways’ routes, proudly showcasing some of the popular designs as part of the airline’s centenary celebrations.

    All new aircraft entering the fleet, including the A350, will continue to receive today’s popular Chatham Dockyard design.

    According to Alex Cruz, British Airways’ Chairman and CEO, “So many British Airways customers and colleagues have fond memories of our previous liveries, regularly sharing their photos from across the globe, so it’s incredibly exciting to be re-introducing this classic BOAC design.

    “Our history has shaped who we are today, so our centenary is the perfect moment to revisit our heritage and the UK’s aviation landscape through this iconic livery.”

    The 747 has been deliberately chosen for the BOAC livery as it is a later variant of the same aircraft type that adorned the design when it was initially in operation.

    The BOAC livery will remain on the Boeing 747 until it retires in 2023. By this time, British Airways will have retired the majority of its 747 fleet, replacing them with new state-of-the-art long-haul aircraft. This includes taking delivery of 18 A350s and 12 Boeing 787 Dreamliners in the next four years – which feature new cabins and are more environmentally efficient – as well as another 26 short-haul aircraft, all part of the airline’s £6.5bn investment for customers.

  • BA and Miss Joannes’s backhanded compliment

    What on earth was Miss Joanne Wickenden thinking of when she made that video? And why in goodness name would she upload it, stirring the denizens of the internet and getting herself fired?

    Miss Wickenden was until a few days ago, a hot, pretty, feisty, English air hostess with British Airways. She was apparently a regular on the highly lucrative Nigeria route.

    Last weekend, she had been logged to fly the Nigerian route once again and in what appeared a mixed feeling of high and low, she took to the social media to record a minute-long video:

    “All the Nigerians are gonna be there like gimme Coca Cola, gimme beef, why you have no beef left? I want beef. And I’m just gonna be there like, ‘sorry sir, we ran out of beef.’

    “All the Nigerians are gonna be there asking for f****** upgrades because they haven’t got enough leg room because their BBCs (term for black male genitals) are in their way,” she said and uploaded.

    Interpreted: Miss Wickenden did not regret working weekends but she worried about spending it tending to unruly Nigerian passengers who are insatiable. If she could not enjoy her weekend splash in her civilized London, why did good fortune not fly her to civilized climes, she seemed to bemoan.

    Young Wickenden apparently did not understand the import of her comment otherwise she would not have posted it. The poor British lass didn’t realize she was making a racial jibe at Nigerians; typecasting them as unruly, demanding and wearisome.

    But more significant, she was not schooled enough to understand that Nigeria is perhaps BA’s most lucrative route  which the airline has been milking for nearly a hundred years.

    BA’s HR team failed to tell her that without the Nigerian passengers she made to deride, BA would probably fly into a serious turbulence. It is cheap to sack Miss Wickenden but BA was lax in properly orienting their staff.

    True, Nigerians are boisterous people and this sometimes lapses into the realm of unruliness but we are also a footloose people and we burn good money. Is it not said that a man puts his mouth where his money is?

    This explains why unlovable as we may be, most airlines of the world cannot do without Nigeria. Not even our attitude, lousy facilities and miscreant officials would stop them. Name them: BA, KLM, Lufthansa, Air France, Emirates, Ethiopia, EgyptAir, Maroc, Kenyan, etc.

    They are all here ravaging Nigeria’s rich air travel treasure. A country that ought to be Africa’s air hub is just there merely shoveling huge ticket sale returns (forex) to other countries. And they insult us to boot. Pity.

  • BA slashes Abuja-London route fare

    BA slashes Abuja-London route fare

    British Airways (BA) has slashed fares on its Abuja-London route from the Nnamidi Azikwe International Airport (NAIA) to $277 for a one-way trip.

    The special fare will be available between now and June 30.

    British Airways Regional Commercial Manager, West Africa Kola Olayinka,  revealed this in a statement in Lagos yesterday.

    The normal flight on the route is $700.

    He also said: “BA recognises that the six weeks’ period that the Abuja International Airport was closed, was indeed a tough time for their loyal northern customers and the move to compensate them with a slashed fee is coming at a right time.”

  • BA workers to stage 48-hour strike from Jan. 10

    Cabin crew at British Airways plan to hold a 48-hour strike from Jan. 10 in an ongoing pay dispute, the Press Association said yesterday, citing the Unite Trade Union.

    The walkout comes after Unite members voted by 7 to 1 to reject a pay offer from the airline, the report said.

    Crew called off strikes planned for Christmas Day and Boxing Day to allow for talks at the British conciliation service Acas.

    “British Airways is needlessly provoking strike action by refusing to extend the mandate of the strike ballot and allow meaningful talks to take place,’’ Unite official Oliver Richardson said.

    The strike action is being taken by so-called “mixed fleet’’ cabin crew who joined the company since 2010.

    Unite says they are unfairly paid less than their colleagues.

    “Instead of listening to why its ‘mixed fleet’ cabin crew rejected the offer negotiated at Acas, British Airways has sought instead to try and bully a workforce of young men and women who are trying to eke out a living on poverty pay,’’ Richardson said.

  • BA refits B-747 on Lagos-London route

    BA refits B-747 on Lagos-London route

    British Airways has announced  plans for improved services on the Lagos-London route with the deployment of a refurbished  Boeing 747 aircraft  in January 2016.
    The Head of Sales for British Airways in charge of Middle East, Africa and Central Asia , Mr Paolo De-Renzis, disclosed this in Lagos.
    De Renzis said the refitting of the aircraft was one of British Airways many investments to improve passenger experience on board.
    He noted : “At British Airways, the comfort and satisfaction of our customers is paramount and we are pleased that with the refurbishment, customers flying on the Lagos-London route can enjoy the very best travel experience available on the aircraft.”
    Describing Nigeria as one of the biggest markets for British Airways, he added that the country is very important and strategic to its operations in the region.
    On his part, Regional Commercial Manager, West Africa, Kola Olayinka said the airline is committed to enhancing service delivery.
    He said : “Our winning streak in the past 80 years since we ventured into the Nigerian market has been the quality of service we offer our loyal customers. Our human capacity and our understanding of the Nigerian market.”
    Olayinka went on : “ Our customers are the centre of everything we do, and this modern refit of the 747 aircraft will allow customers flying on our Lagos-London routes to experience our new improved offerings.
    “With a new Club World configuration, new world traveller class seats, and more variety in our inflight entertainment, our customers are in for a treat.”

  • BA offers summer fares

    BA offers summer fares

    British Airways (BA) has announced discounts for summer in its First Class cabin, from Lagos and Abuja, Nigeria.

    According to the airline, its esteemed Executives can purchase tickets to travel from Abuja or Lagos to London at special rates.

    The mega carrier said the offer is open to all existing and potential customers and it covers outbound travel from 1 August to September 30.

    Commenting on the offer, B A’s Regional Commercial Manager for West Africa, Kola Olayinka, said the latest offer was in line with the company’s desire to offer great deals to its Executive customers planning on travelling for business or spending and celebrating with their family members and friends abroad this summer.

    Olayinka noted: “Our First Class customers have been a solid support to us over the years, as they experience our First class servicer service, this is our way of saying thank you for their loyalty to us. We will continuously support them with our wonderful service in our First Class cabin and those flying on First Class this summer whether for business or personal reasons, can enjoy the same world-class luxury from British Airways for less.’’

     

  • BA reports big jump in quarterly profits

    British Airways (BA) owner International Airlines Group (IAG) has reported a big jump in quarterly profits. IAG reported a 25 per cent rise in pre-tax profits to €449m (£315m) for the three months to 30 June.

    Chief executive Willie Walsh told the BBC’s Today programme the results “reflect the underlying strength of the airlines”.

    IAG is in the process of buying Irish carrier Aer Lingus.

    The group is still waiting for approval from stakeholder Ryanair, which Mr Walsh is confident they will receive.

    “What Ryanair has said is that they do intend to sell us their stake,” he said.

    Mr Walsh also said the weakening euro had an impact on the company’s results in the first half of the year: “We continue to take cost out of the business, with both employee and supplier unit costs down at constant currency, and improvements in productivity levels,” said Mr Walsh.

    The company said that at current fuel prices and exchange rates, IAG’s outlook remains unchanged.

    Since the formation of IAG through the merger of BA and Iberia in 2011, Iberia has been undergoing a massive restructuring programme, with jobs and salaries being cut.