BA to reveal first-quarter details

British Airways will reveal the full impact of a nightmare first quarter on Friday
12 April 2012

British Airways will reveal the full impact of a nightmare first quarter on Friday when it publishes financial results for the three months to June during which it was hit by Iceland's volcanic eruption and cabin crew strikes.

The airline has already said it could hardly have had a worse start to the financial year, facing huge losses because of the double whammy of the volcanic ash cloud and the industrial action.

The volcanic eruption closed most of European airspace for almost a week in April, while flights were disrupted by the long-running row with cabin crew.

BA has already lost around £120 million from the volcanic disruption and over £150 million from the wave of strikes over cost-cutting, the removal of travel concessions from union members who went on strike as well as disciplinary issues.

The Share Centre said BA's first quarter figures will be keenly watched in the market, adding: "Staff strikes, volcanic ash and glorious British weather are all factors which will make these figures an interesting read.

"Previously the aggressive stance towards the strike action has had a limiting effect, and this will be the first set of figures which will clarify the losses that have occurred from these issues."

BA said on releasing annual figures in May that despite its recent woes, market conditions were showing signs of improvement, with passenger revenues recovering and increased corporate activity.

It has forecast revenue growth of around 6% this year and expects to break even at the profit before tax level. The group also received a boost this month when it was given US regulatory clearance for its alliance with American Airlines and Iberia on transatlantic flights. But BA is still facing the threat of further strikes after members of Unite rejected its "final" offer, raising the prospect of another ballot for industrial action.

Cabin crew have taken 22 days of strike action since March and any further walkouts could take place from September.

Talks aimed at resolving the bitter dispute will be held at the conciliation service Acas on Monday, but there was little optimism about a breakthrough.

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