Sorry, sid - bid speculation or "bid spec" is when the stockmarket believes a company will be bid for, and sends the share price up. Under the stockmarket rules, if there is a significant move of this nature, the company is generally then required to make an announcement either saying they are in talks, or saying they no of no reason for the move.

Doesn't always happen, though - Hanson shares have shot up in the last couple of weeks, but the company has said nowt.

Memo to self, stop using jargon when attempting to communicate! :ugh:

So, LGW IS making a profit?:)

Stockpicker - thanks for that - as I said, I'm rather ignorant of such matters.

I noted that BA's sept traffic stats are just out - wonder whether they are contributing to the higher price - unfortunately whilst I have a basic understanding (numerically) of said stats, I don't know how significant they are in an 'airline business' context. Perhaps you can share your learned opinion on that one stockpicker?!!! :ok:

PS Would a moderator please post on here the reason(s) why this thread has been moved here from rumours and news - I am confused and peeved........

You'll have to ask Danny wot moved it:)

Not as "learned" these days, sid, it's a few years since I specialised in airlines! But the traffic stats were a bit lacklustre - BA said they would see sales growth in the year of 5-6%, whereas we had previously been looking for 6-7% (may not sound like much, but of course the cost of flying a plane from A to B being mostly fixed, getting a little bit extra from the SLF drops straight to the profit line). On the other hand, they cut their estimate as to how much extra they would be paying for fuel this year from £550-£600m to £450m - lower fuel costs, but this impact was again muted because they had "hedged" their costs (you don't honestly want me to explain the swaps market as well, do you? :\ ). So, all in all, fairly dull, and the shares have drifted from their 450p peak - currently 444.75p.

New aircraft order
 

"British Airways has launched a competition for new longhaul aircraft by issuing tender documents to aircraft and engine manufacturers.

The competition, called a request for proposal (RFP), is the first step in a lengthy process before the airline makes a decision on fleet growth and replacement for the next decade.

Airbus and Boeing, and engine manufacturers, Engine Alliance, General Electric and Rolls Royce plus other key component suppliers, have been invited to bid."

More info available on the BA website

Iberia acquisition (BA)
 

On Friday there was a rumor going around that BA is planning on acquiring Iberia (which led to an increase in Iberia share price). Any substantiation to this rumor? I know BA has long coveted American Airlines. Seeing as how AA is not likely to be an elgible candidate, does anyone think BA will make acquire Iberia in the immediate future?

It seems like an odd time to make an acquisition, given the pension issues and the recent announcement of planned a/c acquisition. If not true, does BA miss out on the European airline consolidation play by sitting on the sidelines (cutting costs)?

No one has heard about this?

There is surely no way that BA will buy IB we have enough trouble with pension funds & unions without taking on more trouble.

BA will release earnings on Friday. They will be asked on the progress of the pension deficit and Iberia. It should be interesting.

Perhaps we now we know why the stock priced move as it did? With the announcement of the deal with FlyBe, then Mainline may expect to benefit and so it would be good to buy early.

That fact that the sell off will return BA to the BOAC / BEA set up is very amusing to those of us that have been predicting this. And it would be interesting to hear the reasons why the board changed their mind after saying many times that there would be no LH/SH split.

I hope the BA management drown in their own urine after what they done yesterday. A disgrace to call themselves 'British Airways'.

Watch out all at LGW, where will Willy's chopper fall next?

Sorry if I am behind the times a bit here, but once this BA Connect wind up, er sale goes through, am I correct in thinking that the only bases that BA have flight deck crews at are Heathrow and Gatwick?

Skipness One Echo,

There are about 25 BA pilots (mostly captains) on secondment to BA Connect. They are currently flying the RJ100 out of EDI and BHX. The new subsidiary which BA is setting up will be a LCY operation with all the RJ100 flight-deck crews based in EDI.

Over the coming weeks, BA and BALPA will be discussing the options available for these BA mainline secondees.

The answer to your question could be: LHR, LGW and EDI.

Is this perhaps taking it a little bit too far? BA will still have all their short-haul operations from London, won't they? (Or am I just too young to have a clear memory of the BOAC/BEA split?)

Website
 

The BA website has gotten a mini makeover.Looks nice and fresh, I like it :ok:

Same here, brighter I think:)

BA buys American Airlines' stake in Iberia
 

LONDON, Nov 15 (Reuters) - British Airways said on Wednesday it had purchased American Airlines' stake in Spanish carrier Iberia for 19 million euros ($24.29 million).

BA, Europe's third-largest airline, said in a statement it now owned about 10 percent of Iberia, up from 9 percent previously.

"The transaction is intended to preserve British Airways' two seats on the Iberia board," BA said in a statement. BA has played down the prospects of merging with Iberia or extending its joint venture with the Spanish carrier.

BA have resolved the pension deficit so wonder what is the next big Announcement - Aircraft orders or whats happening with the franchises !

Not quite, I think! Meeting with unions tomorrow (Thursday), if I have got my dates right.