Less than two months after he announced a 35% downsizing of British Airways' top management (ATWOnline, Dec. 1), CEO Willie Walsh yesterday presented an overhaul of BA's poorly performing regional operations.The changes begin with British Airways CitiExpress, which will be renamed BA Connect. The Club Europe brand no longer will feature on regional services to continental Europe. In line with competing LCCs, BA Connect will move to a single-class cabin and "buy-on-board" hot and cold catering. Fares will be reduced by more than 40% and there will be two ticket types: BA Connect, a nonrestricted and changeable ticket, and BA Connect Plus, a nonrestricted and changeable ticket with airport lounge access and instant seat selection at the time of booking.

There will be 2 million seats available year-round at the lowest prices starting at ?25 ($44.19), while BA Connect fares will start from ?110 one-way including taxes, fees and charges. Travelers will accumulate BA miles on every fare.

"The move is a direct response to changing customer needs and the challenges that have emerged in the marketplace since the creation of British Airways CitiExpress," MD David Evans said.

CitiExpress was created from four subsidiaries--British Airways Regional, Brymon Airways, Manx Airlines and British Regional Airlines--during 2001-02. It operates a fleet of 50 aircraft comprising 28 ERJ-145s, 10 RJ100s, eight Dash 8s and four BAe146s. It flies some 3.8 million passengers yearly on 50 routes from its main bases at Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Bristol, Southampton and London City. Countries served are Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Norway, Belgium and Switzerland.

The changes will take effect beginning March 26. Aircraft livery and staff uniforms will remain unchanged apart from the name BA Connect that will appear on the fuselages. The overhaul excludes flights at London City and also those of BA mainline at Heathrow and Gatwick, which will continue to offer complimentary catering on short-haul services and a separate Club Europe cabin on the European network.