Walsh to axe 600 managers in BA costs cull

FORMER Aer Lingus chief executive Willie Walsh stamped his authority on British Airways (BA) yesterday when he announced plans to axe 600 managers in a radical cost-cutting move.

Mr Walsh, who took over as BA boss in September, will get rid of 200 top-ranking senior managers - 50% of the total - as part of the deal, which will save the company about €74 million (£50 million) every year. The move will see 35% of all group management lose their jobs.

“I said when we reported our second quarter financial results last month that our costs were up in most areas and that, as a result, we need to re-energise our efforts to deliver a competitive cost base.