British Airways, Ryanair Cut Winter Flights, Hike Fares

London, England (AHN) - A decrease in winter flights and an increase in plane fares are being planned by British Airways and Ryanair.

The twin measures are the two air carriers' response to the financial crisis plaguing the international aviation industry. BA chairman Martin Broughton admitted British Airways was "up to our necks in perhaps the biggest crisis the aviation industry has ever known."

BA chief executive Willie Walsh hinted a four percent fare hike will probably be collected on top of possible increases also in fuel surcharges. BA is planning a five percent cut in its flights from October 2008 to March 2009, including some short-distance flights.

Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary said the air carrier would decrease its weekly flights out of Dublin Airport by 12 percent to 18 from 22 planes, in the process downsizing its passenger load to 500,000.

Walsh added there would be no recruitment freeze, except during the winter schedule. He also announced BA launched new daily direct flights from Gatwick Airport to Antalya in Turkey that would last up to four hours and 15 minutes.