MP fights to keep local cabin crew base

4.02.52pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 10th Oct 2006

Cheadle MP Mark Hunter has joined with British Airways cabin crew in an attempt to safeguard the future of the company's cabin crew base at Manchester Airport.

BA management are planning to close the base at the end of the month - a move that will affect nearly 70 staff. The base provides services for cabin crew on shuttle flights between London and Manchester and its closure would end mean the end of cabin crew officially being based at Manchester.

Said Mark, "A number of cabin crew and staff at the base live in Cheadle constituency and have contacted me with their concerns. This deal doesn't seem good for staff, good for BA or good for the airport itself. I am also concerned that this move by BA is an attempt to focus its efforts on Heathrow airport at the expense of Manchester and other regional airports."

"There are around 70 jobs at stake with many long serving members of staff being told they will either have to relocate to London or commute. It's no wonder that staff are concerned by these plans."

"I am not convinced that BA are making the right decision in this case and that is why I hope to be able to discuss their plans with senior management - including the Chief Executive - as soon as possible."

ENDS