BA opts to shelve OpenSkies expansion

By Kevin Done, Aerospace Correspondent

Published: January 23 2009 02:00 | Last updated: January 23 2009 02:00

British Airways has postponed plans for further expansion of its venture to operate direct services between leading airports in continental Europe and North America, bypassing its global hub at London Heathrow.

It will instead seek to sell the aircraft in its mainline fleet that had previously been earmarked for transfer to its OpenSkies subsidiary, which began flying last year.

Willie Walsh, chief executive, said a letter of intent had been signed with another carrier to sell for cash 10 or 11 of its current fleet of 15 Boeing 757-200s, leaving only the existing four 757s, which are already operated by OpenSkies. [Full Article]