BA has funding in place for all the new aircraft currently scheduled for delivery over the next few years. I notice that many airlines are cancelling or deferring theirs.
While some very valid points are being made about BA there is a huge amount selective quoting going on.
Hmmm, selective quoting?
Yes, BA has funding for it's new Aircraft but as a proportion of the fleet, the investment is modest. If you make a comparison against many other airlines BA was not investing when they were and, whilst cancellations are understandable in these straightened times, it doesn't remove that fact that BA are operating an aged fleet whose care and maintenance needs are greater than those of their modern competitors.
When the premium market does return I belive that this lack of investment will impact on BA whose product will be seen as shabbly in comparison with those who have had the foresight to invest. Oh, and by 'investing' ( another word for losing money) in a swanky new terminal at Heathrow has actually yet to show any dividend whatsoever.
BA should break up its flight operations and franchise these to a series of national and international carriers. Use the brand presence and expertise to create a globally dominant marketing and ticketing structure to feed these franchisees.