Analysts had predicted losses of up to £150 million for BA (British Airways) for the final three months of 2009, but the company weighed in with a loss of £50m, down significantly from the £122 it lost during that period in 2008. Its financial year ends in March, so the figures are for the company’s third quarter. Willie Walsh, chief executive, told journalists Friday morning 5 February that cost-cutting was responsible for the improvement, with costs reduced by more than 10 percent. The figures look less rosy for the financial year as a whole, compared to the first three quarters of 2008-09, with a loss more than four times as great. But Q3 did show an operating profit, and Walsh insists that the company’s structural changes are having a positive impact on its finances. Difficult negotiations continue with staff over pay cuts and the BA pension plan, with staff voting until 22 February on whether to strike.

Links to other sites: BA, BBC, Financial Times

British Airways (BA) has found that the Swiss work the most hours per week of all Europeans. A survey by YouGov, a polling company contracted by BA, of 6,000 Europeans found that 24 percent of Swiss residents work more than 45 hours per week, while a fifth of Italians work seven hours or less per day. The French and the Spaniards felt they had the best work/life balance.

Passengers flying on British airline BA will have to pay to select the seats they want, starting 7 October. The exception is seats selected in the 24 hours before departure. The new policy includes passengers traveling together who want seats side by side. Prices range from £10-60, with long-haul selected seats costing £20 each and emergency exit seats £60. BBC and BA official notice

British Airways has asked its employees to take unpaid leaves of absence or work without pay for up to a month to help it weather the financial storm that caused it to post a record loss of £400 million for 2008, reports CNN. The company has not confirmed the information, nor do the British media report it but BA and the Unite union have been bickering over pay proposals in recent days.

Subway trains in London, England are likely to come to a halt for two days, with drivers on strike from 19:00 Tuesday 9 June until late Thursday. Their union is calling for higher pay. PR-Inside

British Airways last week told staff that it is seeking 2,000 voluntary redundancies among the 14,000 flight crew members, raising fears of a strike by airline staff this summer, according to the Times. The company announced a £401 pre-tax loss 22 May, the worst in the company’s history, due to a mix of falling business travel, a high pound and high fuel costs. Guardian