Today, three former BA executives, alongside the airlines current sales and marketing director have denied in court charges of fixing the price of fuel surcharges.
Iain Burns (former Head of Communications), Alan Burnett (former leader of sales teams in UK & Ireland), Andrew Crawley (former Head of Sales) and Martin George (current sales & marketing director) all pleaded ‘not guilty’ for a ‘cartel offence’ at Southwark Crown Court.
In January, the four of them will face allegations that they worked with Vrigin Atlantic to fix the price of fuel surcharges. There charges relate to incidents between July 1st 2004 and April 20th 2006 which suggest that BA worked together with Virgin to make sure passengers in the US and UK over-paid for flight by increasing fuel surcharges.
If you are wondering why Virgin staff are not facing charges, it is because they told about the alleged fixing to the police and have worked together with them throughout.
This morning, the men spoke only to confirm there names and enter there plead. There appearance in court comes a day before a BA meeting, where they will look at how they can overcome financial problems, but they are expected to receive a lot of criticism. To help overcome there £401 million loss last year they are planning to cut staff costs. BA is in there mess because of increased fuel prices and less people travelling on buisiness and first class.
The men’s trial will commence on 18th January, and is expected too last 3 months?
What do you think about the employees behaviour? Is BA getting there just deserts with less and less passengers? Do BA have a right to cut there staff wages? How do you think this whole mess will end up?
There = a place
Their = of a person
They're = abbreviation of they are.
'How do you think this whole mess will end up'?
Government bailout