The action is being considered after the carrier reported a loss of £70 million for the nine months ended 31 December. Additional voluntary redundancies are also being looked at, as the airline opened talks with unions over both "pay and productivity".

BA’s announcement came after it released the fact that it had moved into the red for the period. The same nine months of the previous year saw the carrier reporting a profit of £816 million.

Airports Council International represents member facilities around the world, including around 440 in Europe. It commented that airlines "need to appreciate" revenue from retail sales at shops constitutes at least half of airport income, and it is this revenue that makes it possible for them charge landing fees that are below-cost.

BAA Heathrow launches 'Connecting Communities' - support for Age Concern and Help the Aged programmes.

BAA Heathrow staff have chosen Age Concern and Help the Aged to be its Charity of the Year for 2009.

The campaign, called 'Connecting Communities', aims to raise £200,000 for Age Concern and Help the Aged through staff fund-raising events, passenger collections and promotions. The money raised will go towards vital local community programmes such as their volunteer befriending services in the Hounslow area.