British Airways to cut Detroit-London flights at Metro: Official blames changing auto industry for low demand

Sep. 19--British Airways Plc, Europe's third-largest airline, said it will end flights from London to Detroit saying a decline in the auto industry rendered the route unprofitable.

The daily flight from Heathrow Airport to Detroit Metro and back will cease to exist on March 29, 2008, said British Airways spokesman John Lampl.

"It's due to the changing landscape of the Detroit business situation," he said. "We relied heavily on the auto industry, which has become very fragmented. It's our weakest route."

"We've been trying to save it for many years," Lampl said, adding that the service, which has existed for 51 years, has been losing money for years.

"Our bread and butter over the last 20-30 years has been the auto industry," he said. "But lots of the people associated with the auto industry have been bypassing the UK and going to Germany, France and Italy."

Lampl also said British Airways can't compete with Northwest.

Northwest Airlines has daily flights to London's Gatwick Airport on an Airbus A330, which has 298 seats, said Northwest spokesman Dean Breest.

Lampl said British Airways has been downgrading to smaller planes over the years. It started service with a Boeing 747, down raded to a Boeing 777 and currently uses one of its smaller planes on that route, a Boeing 767.

"The numbers have just been diminishing over the years," he said.

Lampl said British Airways will pull 38 employees, most in customer service, from Metro Airport.

"We came out last night and briefed our staff," Lampl said. "Most of them are union and they have the option to look for jobs in different locations. Many are very senior positions.

"We have a major investment here," he said. "It's a very difficult position and very regretful."

"I can tell you that for the last several years, it's been a loss maker but we wanted to give it a chance."

Lampl said officials have been in Detroit since Monday informing employees, airport officials, and its vendors about the company's decision. British Airways officials even delivered a letter Tuesday morning to Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick to let him know of the decision.

"It's protocol and appropriate," Lampl said.

Contact MARGARITA BAUZA at 313-222-6823 or [email protected]

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