Skipness,
GSS is not part of BA. GSS is an operator, who provides just Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance & Insurance (ACMI) to BA, who bear all other costs such as Fuel, ATC, Landing Fees, etc.
This gives BA access to pure B747-400F freighter operation, at a rather small cost, while keeping their exposure to risk virually at zero. Not bad deal for BA -the company- , but it has created some waves amongst the BA Pilots and their GSS counterparts, albeit for valid reasons on both sides. (Details see another thread)
Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings owns 49% of GSS as well as the Airframes, which it leases back to GSS. As to who owns the other 51% of GSS, that is a little bit of a grey zone. There is an official statement, that the 51% are held by one British private investor, who had no prior involvement with aviation.
Therefore, it is imaginable -or even likely-, that he is just a legal/political front man for either BA or Atlas, or maybe even a third unnamed institutional investor with strategical interest in the Airfreight industry.
Whether BA will eventually take over GSS is the next big question. My guess is that it might do so at some point, if they can negotiate a B scale with BACC to keep their cost structure competitive with other Cargo operators.
Time will tell.
Hope that answers your questions.
Cheers
Last edited by Avius; 12th Oct 2005 at 02:57.