Rise in business trips and victory in expenses row will see BA break even

BRITISH Airways said it will break even this year, rebounding from a record loss, if demand for business trips continues to gain and chief executive Willie Walsh wins his 15-month tussle over cabin-crew expenses.

A return to profit “requires permanent change across the company”, Mr Walsh said after the London-based company’s net loss widened to £425 million (€498m) in the year ended March 31 from £358m a year earlier.

Mr Walsh said he aims to resume negotiations with the Unite union today to head off three weeks of strikes by 12,000 flights attendants starting on May 24.