Scots jobs go in BA cutbacks

Posts are being cut at Aberdeen Airport

British Airways has announced cutbacks in Scotland following a review of its CitiExpress subsidiary.

Flights from Glasgow and Edinburgh to Cardiff are to be withdrawn and 59 cabin and flight crew jobs based in Aberdeen will be lost.

The move is part of a UK-wide restructuring of the airline which will involve the loss of 500 jobs over the next two years.

BA conducted a review of CitiExpress

The company said it wanted to achieve savings of £20m by 2004.

The firm's reporting base at Aberdeen Airport will be closed, meaning that 59 cabin and flight crew will not be needed.

The loss-making Glasgow to Cardiff and Edinburgh to Cardiff routes will be withdrawn.

However, some engineering jobs will be created in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Aberdeen to Newcastle and Edinburgh to Bristol flights will be increased.

The company said that changes were aimed at simplifying the fleet, withdrawing loss-making services and making more efficient use of their assets.

Short haul flights

A BA spokesman said that staff based in Aberdeen would be offered alternative work in the company and that talks with unions would be taking place shortly.

BA CitiExpress is responsible for domestic and European short haul flights.

It was formed last month through a combination of BA subsidiary companies British Regional Airlines and Brymon.

BA has undertaken a major review of its business since the 11 September attacks on the US, which led to a downturn in world air travel.

It announced 5,800 job cuts in February, on top of 7,200 last year.