BA is in a pretty good position to ride out the coming oil price storm. Aside from the aging 76/75 and the 744 fleets most of the rest of the fleet i.e 777 and airbus are relatively modern. Add to that the orders for the A380 and the 787, plus the concessions that will doubtless be won from Boeing over late deliveries, and you can see why the company looks stable. Bear in mind that on a round trip Sao Paulo the 777 uses considerably less fuel that the 744 for a similar pax config.
Also, there are alot of other carriers in far more risky positions. Within America the state of the economy does not bode well for the Government trying to 'prop' up bankrupt airlines as they go through Chapter 11 restructuring. The risk is to high and there are little if any funds available.
If these carrier fail, who will be in the market to pick up their business? Remember that it is cut throat out there, especially in the premium passenger market who are expecting alot for their money. Lets hope BA can leave the shambles of T5 opening behind and concentrate on delivering a first class product to the passenger. Something that seems to have been lacking the past few years
All this leads to a possible expansion of the long haul structure, maybe with a pause as the oil price stabalises, in the future and the expansion of the pilot workforce that comes with LH hulls. Just need to get the debacle of Open Skies sorted first.
Good luck with the interviews
