British Airways is expected to shed 100 call centre jobs in Belfast and close down its travel shop in the city because more people are booking flights online, it emerged today.
The airline is considering shutting 17 travel shops across the UK by August, affecting around 300 staff.
Calls to the Belfast centre will instead be directed to staff in Manchester and Newcastle. The company was consulting trade unions about the proposed closures.
Martin George, British Airways' commercial director, explained: "It is clear that increasing number of our customers want to book and organise their travel plans with British Airways via the internet.
"This is a travel industry wide trend and we have to ensure that our business reflects this.
"Our UK call centres have seen the number of telephone calls fall by more than 60 per cent since 2001 from 15 million to six million calls today and we have reduced our headcount in this area of the business by similar amounts from 2200 to 800 people.
"Despite closing our call centres in Glasgow and London in 2004 we still have too much property for the size of our operation.
"It is with regret that we propose to close Belfast and make more efficient use of our centres in Manchester and Newcastle."
Mr George said the airline's high street travel shop business was expected to make increasing losses in the years ahead despite efforts to reduce costs and improve revenue. The airline was proposing to close all 17 shops by the end of August.
"The announcement today is not an easy one and not one which we have taken lightly," he said.
"This decision is not a reflection on the professionalism and efforts of our staff in these areas. It is about ensuring that we respond to changes in the marketplace.
Meanwhile a Kilkeel-based company which is making aircraft seats for British Airways has received Stg£3 million from Invest Northern Ireland for an expansion plan.
United States owned firm B/E Aerospace opened an extended factory, doubling capacity at the site and enabling the firm to increase exports. The company secured its order from British Airways in November which is worth around Stg£80 million.
PA