British Airways World Cargo Implements War Surcharge (27/03/2003)

British Airways World Cargo has today announced the implementation of a war surcharge of GBP 0.07/kg (EUR 0.10/kg or local currency equivalent) with effect from 4 April 2003. This will apply on all shipments from the UK, Europe, Africa, Pakistan, Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka to and via the Middle East, and on all shipments from the Middle East (Bahrain, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates).

The introduction of the war surcharge has been made necessary following changes to the British Airways operation and schedule caused by the military action in Iraq. This includes the diversion and rerouting of flights to avoid restricted airspace causing reduced payload and increased fuel consumption, schedule changes and route cancellations leading to capacity reductions and less efficient aircraft utilisation, and the requirement for additional resources to manage increased operational complexity.

The war surcharge is a temporary measure. It will remain in force until the military action in Iraq is over and British Airways World Cargo is able to resume normal operations. The war surcharge will be reviewed continually and British Airways World Cargo reserves the right to change this decision at any time.