BA in 'fare-fixing' probe

This is a huge blow for British Airways at a critical point in its recovery.

Last month BA appeared to have turned a corner when it announced a 21 per cent leap in profits, but that could all be jeopardised by the absence of Martin George, the commercial director who has been suspended.

Mr George is probably the most important director at the company, after chief executive Willie Walsh.

He is responsible for most aspects of the airline's performance, including worldwide sales, cabin crew, revenue management, worldwide cargo and the development of BA.com, the website that is becoming critical to the airline's efficiency drive.

With difficult industrial relations to navigate over the coming months - over working pattern changes in advance of the move to Terminal 5 and pensions - BA can't afford to let its guard down.

Without Mr George, competitors will be trying to take every advantage.

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