Former BA CEO: Cuts necessary for survival

British Airways has announced its worst-ever half-year results.

It lost $292m in the six months to the end of September - normally a period when business is booming.

It now plans to cut a further 1200 jobs even though staff are already being balloted for strike action over cost-cutting changes.

Former BA executive John Strickland says they have to be realistic.

"It may seem tough to the workforce, there's no doubt it's uncomfortable but if the company doesn't do it the long-term simply cannot be assured" he said.

"There's no guarantee that BA can exist as a business if it doesn't make these changes" he added.