Aug. 16--British Airways will close its Flytele call center on Belfort Road and lay off all 255 employees, the airlines has reported to the state. The layoffs will take place Oct. 25 through Dec. 20.
A spokeswoman for the airlines released a statement Friday saying, "Following a global review of our call center operations the decision has been taken to close Flytele, our call center in Jacksonville by the end of December 2013. ... The operational costs of Jacksonville call center are significantly higher than our other call centers and its closure, at a time when its property lease is up for renewal, is based purely on costs."
The center housed general reservations, along with management of the airline's Executive Club and Gold Guest List. The spokeswoman said the airline has not decided where the calls will be redirected to.
The airline had said in March that it planned to close the call center by the end of the year. It opened in 2001 and had as many as 350 employees in 2009.
Roger Bull: (904) 359-4296
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