British Airways to suspend Charlotte / London services

British Airways will suspend its daily service between Charlotte and London effective Sunday, Oct. 27, 2002, the start of the airline’s winter schedule.

"It is with regret that we have taken this decision to suspend service from Charlotte, a city we have served since January 1994," said David Noyes, British Airways’ Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing North America. "The suspension of the Charlotte/London route was a decision based on commercial reasons and continuation of the service could not be justified in the current economic climate.

"This action is an integral part of the company’s ‘Future Size and Shape’ program, announced earlier this year to offset events from last year’s economic turndown and the attacks of Sept. 11th, 2001.

"Future Size and Shape is designed to return the airline to profitability by reducing the size of the airline, reducing costs and improving efficiencies.

"British Airways is strongly committed to the USA market and will be keeping this route under review. Customers holding reservations for winter 2002/2003 will be offered a full refund or bookings on alternative British Airways flights."

The daily service between Charlotte and London Heathrow stops in Baltimore in both directions, and daily non-stop flights between Baltimore and London Heathrow will continue.