British Airways in advanced talks on low-cost Gatwick business, CEO says

British Airways’ CEO said on Tuesday that negotiations to set up a new low-cost subsidiary at London’s second biggest airport Gatwick were “advanced”. “We want to set up a subsidiary which has got a competitive cost platform,” BA CEO Sean Doyle said. “We’re in, you know, advanced negotiations to try and enable that.” The airline, owned by Anglo-Spanish group IAG, first announced plans for the new business focused on short-haul flying on Friday, saying that it would be branded British Airways and would offer the same standard of service. BA has been evaluating its position at Gatwick after stopping flights there during the pandemic and focusing on operations at its main hub Heathrow, Britain and London’s busiest airport. If negotiations with unions to set up the new unit fail, then Doyle said BA would not be able to compete at Gatwick and could look to sell its slots there.<br/>