British Airways will move ahead with plans for a lower cost short-haul operation at London’s Gatwick airport after pilots voted in favor of a revised deal. BA will now consult on the strategy with remaining labor groups, together with suppliers and other stakeholders, it said Thursday. The Balpa union, which represents cockpit crew, said separately it had concluded an “important” new agreement with the carrier on pay and working hours. Pilots at IAG’s flagship airline were forced to review their opposition to new contracts after BA said it would scrap European operations at Gatwick if it couldn’t slash expenses. The airline contends that a new unit is the only way forward at the airport south of London after years of losing money. “We will now further develop our proposal to provide a full-service short-haul subsidiary operation at Gatwick, offering competitive fares to our customers,” BA said in a statement. “If we can agree a way forward with all parties, we would hope to begin operations next summer.”<br/>
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The UK ended a probe into British Airways and Ryanair Holdings Plc over their refusal to reimburse customers who were barred from flying because of ever-changing pandemic travel rules. The Competition and Markets Authority decided to close the investigation because the law isn’t clear enough about a right to a refund “in these unusual circumstances,” according to a statement Thursday. Ryanair welcomed the decision. The probe was launched in June to determine whether the airlines broke consumer laws by failing to offer customers their money back when Covid-19 rules made it illegal for them to fly. BA instead offered ticket holders vouchers or a different flight, while discounter Ryanair opted for rebooking, the CMA said. “We strongly believe people who are legally prevented from taking flights due to lockdown laws should be offered a full refund,” CMA Chief Executive Officer Andrea Coscelli said in a statement. However, “we have concluded that the length of time that would be required to take this case through the courts, and the uncertain outcome, can no longer justify the further expense of public money.”<br/>