News
British Airways Makes Record Loss of £292m
British Airways intends to cut a further 3,000 jobs over the next six months; around 1,900 employees have left the airline since April.
British Airways has plunged to a record pre-tax loss of £292 million over the past six months, traditionally its most profitable trading period, as the airline fights to stave off Christmas strike action that will deepen its financial woes.
British Airways chief executive, Willie Walsh, warned Ba’s 38,690 staff that the airline’s worst first half results since privatisation made further cost reductions “essential”.
The high court failed to award an injunction against BA cost-cutting measures yesterday but the Unite trade union, which is attempting to halt reductions in cabin crew levels, vowed to press ahead with a strike ballot that could bring the airline to a halt from 21 December onwards.
British Airways underlined how far its business model is out of kilter with its cost base this morning as it reported a pretax loss of £292 million in the six months to 30 September, compared with a profit of £52 million for the same period last year.
The airline is now losing £1.6 million a day after failing to generate enough revenue during the usually profitable summer months a key period for all airlines.
Revenues fell by 13.7 per cent to £4.1 billion, in line with a deep reduction in fares as BA scrambled to maintain demand from passengers, including the all-important business class customers who generate the majority of its profits.
However, overall costs outstripped turnover at £4.2 billion and the loss was deepened by pension and finance costs.
Walsh said the airline industry remained in dire straits and cited forecasts by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) that carriers will lose $11 billion (£6.6 billion) this year despite declining fuel prices.
The BA boss earned the moniker “slasher Walsh” when he turned around Irish carrier Aer Lingus with a brutal cost reduction programme and signaled another budget crackdown over the next six months.
“It’s imperative we continue to deliver on our plans to reduce costs further in the second half,” he said. “With revenue likely to be £1bn lower this year, we can’t stand still and further cost reduction is essential.”
Walsh believes the worst declines in passenger numbers are over customer numbers fell by 469,000 to 17.7 million over the period but warned that the industry was still in recession with no sign of “green shoots” yet.
BA said it intends to cut a further 3,000 jobs over the next six months, including the equivalent of 1,700 cabin crew with the rest to come from international employees and ground staff including check-in desk workers. Around 1,900 employees have left the airline since April. Staff represent BA’s second biggest cost after fuel, accounting for about a quarter of expenditure, but attempts to wring cost savings from the airline’s 14,000 cabin crew have descended into acrimony.
The Unite union, which represents the majority of flight crew, is holding a ballot on proposals to cut crew on long-haul flights from 15 to 14 and warned yesterday that it expects a “resounding” yes vote.
The last industrial dispute between BA management and cabin crew cost the airline £80 million despite a last-ditch agreement that avoided a walk-out. However, the 11th hour deal came too late to prevent thousands of customers from booking elsewhere after BA cancelled flights in advance of looming strikes.
The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress Christian Leaders Forum has expressed strong confidence in the capacity of All Progressives Congress (All Progressives Congress) candidates in the state to deliver effective governance if elected into office in the coming elections.
The State Coordinator of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, made this known during a breakfast and thanksgiving meeting held in Port Harcourt, where leaders gathered to pray for the stability of the party and the safety of its candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.According to him, the meeting was convened to seek divine intervention for peace, unity, and security among APC candidates across Rivers State.
“Today we are praying for APC stability in Rivers State and the security of our candidates that have been elected to contest the 2027 elections. It is a breakfast meeting,” Aroh said.
He further expressed optimism that the party’s candidates would not disappoint the people if entrusted with leadership responsibilities.
“They will not fail when elected into office. We are here as fathers of the land to let them know, and I must tell you the truth that these are the authentic people that will do well in Rivers State,” he added.
Speaking earlier, the National Chairman of the forum, Professor Olanrewaju Abraham, commended the Rivers State chapter for organizing the programme, noting that the national body of the forum believes strongly in the power of prayer.
He stated that political leadership provides an opportunity to influence society positively, including advancing moral and spiritual values, while expressing confidence that APC candidates at all levels would emerge victorious in the upcoming elections.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Women Leader of the APC, Hon. Darling Amadi, praised the forum for its commitment to prayers for peace, stability, and the protection of party candidates.
Represented by the Deputy Women Leader of the party in the state, she described the initiative as commendable and urged other political and support groups within the party to emulate the gesture in promoting unity and stability.
By: John Bibor, Menebe Emmanuel & Fortune Paibi
Prominent businessman and philanthropist, Elder Anthony Osagwe-Ogo, was celebrated in grand style as he marked his 70th birthday anniversary, with distinguished Nigerians, business leaders, and golf enthusiasts gathering to honour his remarkable contributions to society.
The colourful celebration took place at the Port Harcourt Golf Club, where friends, associates, and well-wishers converged to pay tribute to the revered elder statesman.
Chairman of the occasion, High Chief (Dr.) Ikenna Okafor, described the celebrant as a detribalised Nigerian whose generosity, humility, and commitment to humanity have earned him admiration across different communities and backgrounds.
According to Dr. Okafor, Pa Osagwe-Ogo’s impact on society and the development of his community remains unparalleled. He noted that members of the golfing community are proud to be associated with a father figure who consistently promotes the welfare and well-being of those around him.
He further stated that the history and growth of the Port Harcourt Golf Club cannot be told without acknowledging the significant role played by the celebrant, whose wisdom, encouragement, and leadership have helped sustain the club over the years.
“We are here to celebrate a man who has impacted humanity positively, a peace-loving individual and an epitome of hope for the younger generation. We pray to emulate his virtues. Today, we celebrate a bridge-builder, a trailblazer, and an iconic leader whose life continues to inspire many,” Dr. Okafor said.
He expressed delight at the large turnout of guests from various walks of life, describing it as a testament to the respect and affection Pa Osagwe-Ogo commands within and beyond Rivers State.
In his response, the celebrant, Pa Anthony Osagwe-Ogo, expressed profound gratitude to God for preserving his life and granting him the privilege of attaining the milestone age of 70.
He also thanked members of the Port Harcourt Golf Club, family members, friends, and associates for identifying with him during the celebration and for their unwavering support over the years.
The event featured the cutting of the birthday cake, presentation of awards to deserving members of the club, goodwill messages, and moments of celebration among guests.
The ceremony was attended by notable personalities from the business community, the golfing fraternity, and other sectors, all of whom joined in celebrating the life and legacy of the respected elder statesman.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Kuru Sirawoo, have been honoured with awards of recognition in connection with the 2026 Democracy Day celebrations held in Port Harcourt.
The awards, which formed part of activities marking Nigeria’s Democracy Day on June 12, were formally presented on Tuesday at the Ministry of Information and Communications in Port Harcourt.
Presenting the awards was Hon. Abdul Hameed Oladipupo Alli, popularly known as “Mr. Nigeria,” Publisher of Asiwaju Trumpet Magazine and Achievers World International Magazine.
Governor Fubara was recognised for his efforts in sustaining peace, stability, and a conducive political atmospherJohn Bibor / Menebe Emmanuel / Fortune Paibie in Rivers State. The organisers noted that his administration has fostered harmony and strengthened civic participation across the state.
Dr. Sirawoo, on the other hand, was honoured for his exemplary administrative leadership and significant contributions to effective information management within the Ministry of Information and Communications.
Representing Dr. Sirawoo at the presentation ceremony, Dr. Christian Davies received the award on his behalf and expressed gratitude for the recognition. He described the honour as a reflection of Dr. Sirawoo’s unwavering commitment to professionalism, excellence, and dedicated public service.
Dr. Davies assured the organisers that the award would be formally conveyed to the Permanent Secretary.
The event also featured the presentation of commemorative publications highlighting major governance and civic milestones in Rivers State, including Easter celebrations, Workers’ Day activities, the Governor’s third anniversary in office, and Democracy Day programmes.
Organisers of the awards commended the Rivers State administration for what they described as sustained peace, political stability, and improved civic engagement, noting that these achievements have contributed significantly to the state’s continued development.
By: Jessica Sambol
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