British Airways to Hack Off One Third of Managers

British Airways has revealed plans to axe almost 600 management jobs in a move that will save the carrier £50 million.

Chief executive Willie Walsh said 35% of the airline´s 1,715 managers –many of whom he described as "extremely talented"- will go by March 2008.

Announcing his first cost cutting measure since taking over from Rod Eddington, he explained that costs just be driven down.

“I said when we reported our second quarter financial results last month that our costs in most areas were up and that, as a result, we need to rekindle our efforts to deliver a competitive cost base,” he said. “We must lower our costs so that we can funs future investment in our business.”

The job losses will be split between senior and middle management. At middle management level, the number will fall from 1,301 to 911. The cuts will go some way to achieving overall savings of £300 million by March 2007.