BA passenger numbers rise

A total of 2.2 million customers flew on BA's services in February 2010 compared to just under 2.17 million in February last year, when London had its worst snow for 19 years. BA's planes flew 74.2 per cent full last month compared with a figure of 72 per cent in February 2009.

The number of passengers flying in business and first-class seats (premium traffic) increased 5 per cent last month compared with February 2009, while non-premium traffic rose 0.3 per cent.

George Stinnes, BA's group treasurer and head of investor relations, was asked what effect the threat of a strike was having on March 2010 bookings.

He replied: "Bookings in March, year on year, are continuing strong. The trend as far as we can tell is certainly consistent with a steady, small improvement."