BRITISH AIRWAYS has had what could only be described as a ”busy” week with two pilots and a senior cabin crew member caught allegedly breaking the cardinal rule of drinking in the prohibited period prior to duty hours. Lord Marshall, who first joined the BA board back in 1983, announced his retirement as chairman, to be replaced by Martin Broughton (56), currently the senior independent director, and in recent times chairman of British American Tobacco (BAT). On the business front the airline announced a pre-tax profit for the quarter of ”105m compared to ”245m in 2002. Under the airline”s Future Size and Shape recovery plan agents” commissions and other ticketing expenses were down by a dramatic 22%. Staff costs still rose by 1% despite further losses in personnel.
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