Virgin Atlantic sends a letter to BAA

Virgin Atlantic has written to BAA Ltd advising that they will be withholding airport fees until the end of their inquiry into the December snow chaos.  Virgin claims that BAA were slow to react to the severe weather conditions.  The airline says it has also officially advised the Department of Transport of its action and shares the Secretary of State's frustration at the absence of any penalties it can enforce on airport operators under the current regulation. 

Virgin Chief Executive Steve Ridgway’s frustrations can been seen in this quote. “Despite the airport operating conditions being way beyond our control, Virgin Atlantic is taking responsibility by paying out millions to customers that suffered disruption to their Christmas travel plans.  We are keen that BAA also feels a strong sense of accountability to the consumer and that minds are focused on delivering a fully independent and robust inquiry by its deadline in March."

Not related at all to the airport problems, but clearly a strengthening of his hand, Mr Ridgeway has been appointed Chairman of the Association of European Airlines (AEA) for 2011, taking over from Willie Walsh. www.virgin-atlantic.com

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