I am sure most peeps will know this is my favourite airline - I fly them and I buy them.

Currently I hold a quarter unit as a longer term investment which is also useful for shareholder benefits.

I will be looking to substantially add at the right time and not afraid to trade them either intraday or more probably as a swing trade.


ains




Shadow of conflict looms large over British Airways as firm fights to recover

TRACEY BOLES - Scotland on Sunday

BRITISH Airways will warn that the prospect of war with Iraq casts a long shadow over its full-year this week when it posts third quarter figures in line with expectations.

Lord Marshall, the BA chairman, is expected to tell analysts that political uncertainty could push the airline, still struggling to recover from the effects of September 11, further into reverse.

"Iraq is a key driver for everything," said a source close to the airline.

BA has admitted privately to analysts that transatlantic bookings for this March are "appalling" as the uncertainty stirred up by the prospect of war exerts an influence. Earnings estimate downgrades are now highly likely.

However, analysts believe a loss for the full year is still not on the cards.

Pre-tax estimates for the full year currently stand at up to 140m. BAs performance, which represents a strong recovery from the 180m loss posted in the equivalent quarter after September 11, has been driven by a vigorous cost-cutting programme rather than by revenue, which is still flat.

It will announce tomorrow that it is on track to achieve cost savings of 450m by the end of March through a process of shedding jobs and loss-making routes under its future size and shape strategy.

By the end of next month 10,000 jobs will have gone under the programme. "BA has weathered the storm better than most by getting costs under control," said one analyst. "In Europe, only Iberia has done likewise."

Third quarter operating profits are expected to be around 30m to 40m, in line with analysts expectations, with pre-tax figures between a 10m loss and 5m profit. The consensus is break even.

The airline has impressed experts by taking the threat posed by low-cost carriers seriously.

Geopolitical and economic problems are affecting demand air travel, especially on long-haul routes. BAs premium services are still under pressure, recent traffic figures revealed.

A speedy Gulf war will lead to a relief rally for the airline sectors shares which are depressed at the moment. However, BA itself has warned that prolonged conflict could trigger a slump in aviation equivalent to that seen after September 11.

Chris Tarry, former aviation analyst at Commerzbank who now runs CTAIRA said: "I believe that the last quarter has been very tough on the revenue side and indeed they have indicated this themselves.

"Unfortunately the outlook is no better - even without a war. The reality of the economic situation in the UK was underlined with the rate cut.

"Add to that the structural downward shift in fare levels and then the uncertainty over war - it doesnt bode well.

"Furthermore, given the uncertainty caused by Iraq let alone an actual war, it is pretty clear that the transatlantic market will be dire in the summer."

BA has traditionally depended on transatlantic traffic for its revenue.

Shells chairman, Sir Philip Watts, also admitted last week that the oil giant was preparing for "uncertain times" ahead.

He said Shell had looked at the range of possibilities that could occur and had "a plan for every eventuality".

Guys,

can we all move away from the personal stuff please?

Ian

Dorset`s very nice, only a county away from me.

I thought you were Worcestershire shag?

ex- Worcester but only by marriage at the time

snap,
I hope you are not being too personal!

lol

trying not to be shag
roflmao

:-)

lol

Anyone who bought around 90p is doing nicely :-)) - currently 120p up 2.5% intraday




Airlines seek aid in killer flu battle
Jake Lloyd-Smith, Evening Standard
15 April 2003

SIA'S airlines have joined forces to plead for government assistance to help them to survive the impact of the killer flu Sars and war in Iraq. The companies urged State-owned airports to cut fees across the board as they struggled to cope with a collapse in passenger demand.




The airlines also pressed for a rethink on the industry levies used to raise funds for security screening, and said planemakers should 'take a realistic look at prices'.


The 17-member Association of Asia-Pacific Airlines, which includes Australia's Qantas, Singapore Airlines, and Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific Airways, said: ' Airports and air-traffic management services must reduce charges, rents and other burdens which they impose on airlines regardless of the fluctuations in the market.'


Meanwhile, the use of private business jets has soared, according to leading aircraft timeshare operator NetJets. The company, which is owned by investment guru Warren Buffett's company Berkshire Hathaway, said use of its fleet of executive aircraft had increased by 27% over the past two weeks because of the war and the Asian flu.



2003 Associated Newspapers Ltd.

Guess who bought at 90p :-----------------------------------------------))

Guess who sold at 91p :------------------------------------------------))

guess who shorted at 90p and talked of sub 60p ..... roflol


must start spending some of my profits soon

LOL - well i didnt Ains, still think they're in dire straits but i certainly didnt short @90p. I only trade overnight at most and i usually scalp within minutes preferably so the long term trend is meaningless, altghough if a position is looking equally as strong in said direction when I would usually close, I'll leave it klonger, you know Ains, run the winners and all that, actually must of been a while since you had the chance right!!!

As for spending some of your profits....Why dont you fly on your fav airline, may i suggest Syria, Jakarta, Bukino Faso is nice this time of year i hear, as is Johannesburg, the locals are delightful and a stright up guy like yourself would be welcomed with open arms, oh whoops, i actually thought i was talking to a human being, complete with feelings and values/morals, not AINSOPH, the undisputed, WORST equity trader known to date..-In a movie trailer voice-over

'He suffered greater losses than BCCI, lied more than Enron officals and lost more of the general publics money than the South Sea Co. Bubble.... It's Ainsoph'!!!

'Welcome to a thread where nightmares are reality'!

"BT will never go sub $8"....LOL!

You are a clown and I thought the moderator had asked you to moderate your language

No prblem with 'french'/colourful language Ains or was it the reminder of losses that made you grimace!?

just creeping in to the top ten '250' riser board at plus 4% or so ..... 122p ;-))

LONDON (AFX) - British Airways PLC has launched an Easter seat sale to stimulate demand in the difficult current market, offering over 1.5 mln long haul tickets at discounts of up to 60 pct on return flights.
The Easter sale covers 58 long haul destinations.

It starts tomorrow with a multi media advertising campaign and runs until May 15 for travel during different time periods between April 20 and Dec 10 2003.

BA is offering a 199 stg return to New York, saving 202 stg on the usual fare, fares to Barbados and Antigua from 399 stg (saving 161 stg) and the Seychelles from 439 stg (saving 554 stg).

"There has been a downturn in bookings as a result of world events but we believe that the mood of the British public is now changing and there is a growing desire to travel once again," said Tiffany Hall, BA's head of sales and marketing.

"By offering over 1.5 mln long haul flights at fantastic prices we are giving people a great reason to book now."

Last week BA reported an 11.4 pct slump in March passenger traffic, reflecting sluggish demand in the build-up to and since the military conflict in Iraq started on March 19

At 10.00 am shares in BA were up 3 pence at 127.

james.davey@afxnews.com

Will BAY be able to push through its 130p resistance? If it does next stop is 167p, otherwise its back down to 110p.

Difficult one ..... needs some big new news - maybe US will help this PM



Published in Airline Industry Information on Wednesday, 16 April 2003 at 11:18 GDT
Copyright (C)2003 , M2 Communications Ltd.

The offices of British Airways in Athens, Greece were occupied by anti-war protesters today (16 April).

According to police about 100 members of the Greek communist party took over the second-floor offices and the roof to protest against Britain's role in the Iraq war.

They said that they planned to stay until they joined an anti-war rally later in the day, Reuters reported.

BA slashes prices on 1.5 million long-haul tickets

British Airways has slashed prices on 1.5 million tickets to help stimulate the depressed long-haul travel market.

On sale from tomorrow, the cut-price tickets offer savings of up to 60% on return flights.

A London to New York return will be 199, while London to Miami will be 239, with nearly 60 long-haul destinations covered by the deal.

BA's head of sales and marketing Tiffany Hall said: "There has been a downturn in bookings as a result of world events but we believe that the mood of the British public is now changing and there is a growing desire to travel once again.

"By offering over 1.5 million long-haul tickets at fantastic prices we are giving people a great reason to book now."

North American destinations on sale also include San Diego, Phoenix, Denver, Orlando and Montreal.

Other holiday hot spots on sale are Mexico City , Johannesburg, Mauritius and Sydney and Melbourne from 599.

Flights within the UK and across Europe are also available at low fares.

The bargain sales are available until May 15 for travel during different time periods between April 20 and December 10.


Story filed: 13:20 Wednesday 16th April 2003

Virgin plans flights to Baghdad

LONDON (Reuters) - Virgin Atlantic has said it plans to fly relief supplies to Iraq and has told the government it is ready to reintroduce scheduled commercial services to Baghdad.
The United States, whose forces entered Baghdad a week ago, shifted its focus on Thursday from combat to reconstruction and urged an end to the United Nations' economic sanctions in Iraq.

Virgin Atlantic Chairman Richard Branson said the first few flights the airline would operate to Iraq would deliver doctors, nurses and aid supplies to the Iraqi population.

"We're working with aid agencies and hope to operate flights as soon as we can," Branson said in a statement.

"In addition, by reintroducing scheduled air services we would play our role in the post-war reconstruction of Iraq. Flights to and from Baghdad will be a key element in helping Iraq's long term regeneration and reuniting families who have been separated for many years," Branson added.

The London-based Virgin Atlantic, in which Branson's Virgin Group owns 51 percent and Singapore Airlines owns 49 percent, said it suspended flights to Iraq in 1990.

BA FARES SLASHED TO BOOST FLIGHTS Apr 17 2003


BRITISH Airways today slash long-haul fares by more than half to try to tempt passengers.

Up to 1,500,000 cut-price tickets are being offered, with savings of up to 60 per cent on nearly 60 destinations.

The decision to retire Concorde last week was the latest setback for BA, who recently announced plans to accelerate 3000 redundancies.

Bosses hope bargains like a London to New York return for 199 will boost traffic.

BA is also going head-to-head with no-frills carriers such as Ryanair and easyJet, offering cheap flights within the UK and across Europe.

The airline is offering 59 returns to London from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Manchester and 89 returns to Barcelona, Venice and Milan.

Sales chief Tiffany Hall said: "There has been a downturn in bookings as a result of world events, but we believe that the mood of the British public is now changing and there is a growing desire to travel again."

Irish airline Aer Arran Express yesterday launched a budget service from

Prestwick to the Isle of Man.

Fares for the 45-minute flight start at 59 return including taxes and will begin on May 21.

Prestwick chief Tom Wilson said: "Today's announcement opens another chapter in the tremendous success story of our airport - another new route and another new airline."