MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

British Airways daily flight to Gibraltar in smaller craft

British Airways will operate one daily flight to Gibraltar using a 737 300 which is likely to feature up to 30 club seats and 89 economy. And, as the EasyJet takeover of GB Airways remains to be completed, flights on the current GB Airways schedule are still being sold into the spring in addition to the BA flights. But it is not clear that these will be sustained.

According to the local press GB Airways currently operate Airbus 320s on the Gibraltar route. Monarch is set to continue its current service but all the operators are keen to see what the Gibraltar Government will do to lower landing charges. The effect of a reduction is likely to be delayed since schedules are normally drawn up at least nine months ahead. Meanwhile, BA has said it will not exercise its option to increase its stake in Spain's Iberia, possibly ending its 3.4 billion Euro pursuit for the airline with private equity group TPG. BA's move clears the way for bank Caja Madrid to buy a 7% stake belonging to fellow Spanish lender BBVA and build a powerful position from which analysts say it would block the TPG-BA bid. BA said in a statement it would not buy any of the Iberia shares being sold by BBVA and another core shareholder Logista. "British Airways' position as Iberia's key industrial partner remains important and is not dependent on an increase in shareholding" said British Airways Chief Financial Officer Keith Williams said. "We will enter into discussions with Caja Madrid in order to maximise the value of our relationship with Iberia" concluded the statement.