Four years of turbulence in business life
SPONSOR’S LETTER
In the four years since it was launched, City PM has reported on the highs and lows of a remarkably turbulent period in the business world.
There has been no shortage of crises to cover and trends to examine.
No-one in September 2005 would have predicted the extraordinary events in economic history that we have witnessed subsequently – events that City PM has covered with flair and accessibility.
Few have been immune from the ill winds that have blown like a hurricane through the business world, and certainly not companies within aviation.
Like the rest of the airline industry, British Airways has experienced the most difficult trading conditions in its history.
But we are tackling the effects of the downturn, and getting ourselves in shape to achieve sustainable profitability in the long-term.
And despite the economic gloom, we continue to invest in new products and services for the benefit of our customers.
Nowhere is that more true than at London City airport, which is a familiar location for many readers of City PM
Three weeks ago we launched the first long-haul route in the airport’s history. Our twice-daily business class-only service to New York links the world’s two business capitals in the most time-efficient and productive manner available.
This exciting new route is designed with business travelers in mind, offering the only inflight connectivity to the internet on UK-US flights and pre-clearance of US Customs and Immigration at Dublin’s Shannon – as well as the convenience of a 15-minute check-in at London City.
The Docklands airport has also seen the first arrival of the 11 new Embraer aircraft for our BA CityFlyer services to 10 destinations in the UK and Europe.
This new generation of short-haul aircraft will offer passengers unrivalled levels of space and comfort on board and will fly exclusively from London City.
And like the two new Airbus A318s on the New York service, the Embraers are more fuel efficient and have significantly lower carbon dioxide emissions than the aircraft they replace.
We are serious about climate change, which is why I recently called on world leaders to support an unprecedented agreement between airlines, aircraft manufacturers, airports and air navigation providers which sets a target of reducing the industry’s net carbon emissions by 50 per cent by 2050.
We can’t be afraid of seizing opportunities around us. We need to be bold and brave to survive and prosper.
City PM has also taken its opportunities. A thousand issues on, it has shown it has the drive and determination to succeed. We wish it well in the years ahead.