Two senior BA officials quit as cartel probe picks up steam

LONDON: British Airways announced on Monday that two key executives have resigned amid a probe by British and American authorities into alleged cartel activity over fuel surcharges.

Martin George, commercial director, and Iain Burns, head of communications, have left their positions with immediate effect, BA said in an official statement to the London Stock Exchange.

George’s resignation letter cited “inappropriate conversations” within his department over fuel surcharges, but noted that the director had not been involved in the discussions.

Both men had been on leave of absence since June when Britain’s Office of Fair Trading and the US Department of Justice began an investigation focused on long-haul passenger fuel surcharges.

“It is with regret that I notify you of my decision to step down as Commercial Director of British Airways,” George wrote in a letter which was quoted in the BA statement.

He continued: “I now recognise that within my department, there may have been inappropriate conversations in violation of company policy in relation to long haul fuel surcharges. I was not involved in such conversations.

“Although the board of BA have not found that I have behaved in a dishonest way, I fully recognise my responsibilities as Head of Department and as a Board Director,” he added.

BA said that Robert Boyle, BA’s director of planning, has been appointed George’s successor. Thomas Coops, former communications director at banking group Abbey National, has meanwhile been appointed interim head of corporate and media relations.