British Airways has made 450 managers redundant in an attempt
to cut costs, after the airline warned it would only break even in
the current financial year.
The losses were all voluntary but the airline would not confirm
whether any of the managers were from the IT department.
BA's IT unit has been in the spotlight this year after
software flaws and a lack of testing was blamed for many of the
problems experienced during
terminal 5's troubled opening.
The airline is now attempting to cut costs to try to offset the
effects of the global economic downturn and high fuel costs.
It offered 1,350 managers voluntary redundancy, and on Wednesday
this week accepted the applications of all 450 managers who were
willing to go.
A spokeswoman said, "The voluntary severance scheme for managers
closed at 5pm on Wednesday (October 9).
"We have reviewed all the applications and, as we said we would,
we have decided to accept them all.
"This means about one third of the eligible managers will leave
the company at the end of the year.
"We are pleased with the take up for the scheme. The number is
in line with our expectations and means we can deliver on our
commitment to reduce our management headcount."