Kevin O'Toole/LONDON
British Airways' plans to use its low cost Airline Management (AML)affiliate to take over new long haul services from London Gatwick next year using Boeing 777s is raising concerns at the British Air Lines Pilots Association (BALPA).
AML began flights early in 1997 using BA crews and a single BA McDonnell Douglas DC-10 under agreement with BALPA. Negotiations are now taking place about adding two further DC-10s by the end of this month to fly to Caribbean destinations. The union has been informed of plans to switch to 777s by April 1999.
"Our fear is over where this is all heading," says BALPA assistant general secretary Mike Sparham, who adds that the union has no firm details about the planned 777 operation. It has been confirmed that BA777 pilots would stay on current pay scales, but would be officially "seconded" to AML, with the new airline apparently setting new terms and conditions.
BALPA has written to the UK Civil Aviation Authority asking that new route licences being sought by AML for the new DC-10s are granted for only one year, so that talks over the 777 plans can start with a clean sheet. AML seeks to fly from Gatwick to Cancun, Kingston, Montego Bay and Tobago.
AML has been surrounded by controversy ever since it was set up by Errol Cossey, head of UK charter airline Flying Colours, as a direct replacement for BA's expired lease arrangement with Caledonian Airways flying to Tampa, Florida, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Details of AML's ownership and its relations with BA also remain unclear, with the bulk of the company held by off-shore trusts. It is understood, however, that the UK flag carrier holds an option to buy the business at some future date.
Sparham says that the union has "reservations" over AML's independence, given that it employs no flightcrew of its own, except for three management pilots from Flying Colours, now under training at BA. The operation also uses BA slots and flight numbers, which provoked a legal challenge from rival Sir Freddie Laker last year.
"We are worried that BA is looking to use AML as a covert way of reducing conditions of employment. That would be the thin end of the wedge," says Sparham.
Lewis Scard, BA's general manager for franchises and alliances, has dismissed concerns over AML. He says that the aim is to protect BA's presence on long haul tourist routes where it could not otherwise compete with low cost charter operators. "If we move off a route it's because we're losing money," he says, pointing out that most flights to Mediterranean resorts are handled by BA franchise partners.
Source: Flight International
