British Airways to cut 500 more jobs, 12 unprofitable routes

LONDON - British Airways PLC said Wednesday it plans to cut another 500 jobs and 12 unprofitable routes from its regional network as part of its effort to save money. <br> <br> The cuts target CitiExpress, BA&#39;s wholly owned regional subsidiary. CitiExpress said that though frequency will be added to some key business routes, overall capacity will be cut by 8 percent. <br> <br> The job cuts, part of BA&#39;s effort to save $29 million a year starting in 2004, will come from the unit&#39;s 3,300 staff, the carrier said. The reductions are on top of 13,000 cuts BA has already announced. <br> <br> The layoffs will be carried out over two years as the company employs fewer people, CitiExpress said. <br> <br> BA, Europe&#39;s largest airline, is trying to trim costs and improve profitability as it faces intense competition from budget carriers such as easyJet PLC and Ryanair Holdings PLC. BA put all of its regional operations under the single CitiExpress banner. <br> <br>