UK. National carrier British Airways is reviewing its duty free programme onboard short-haul flights with a view to removing the offer.
“There is limited take-up of duty free shopping on short-haul flights so we are reviewing whether the space needed to store products could be put to better use,” the airline commented to The Moodie Davitt Report.
Tourvest Inflight Retail Services supplies and manages British Airways’ duty free service worldwide, a contract it has held since January 2012. The concessionaire also gained the airline’s short-haul food & beverage contract in September 2016.
“Given the changing face of customer retail trends, Tourvest Inflight Retail Services constantly reviews its retail strategy and the way we position our inflight duty free offering,” Tourvest Inflight Retail Services Head of Business Development, Strategy & Innovation Michelle Green told The Moodie Davitt Report. “Going forward we see digital engagement and pre-order streams growing and are working with all of our customers on an e-commerce digital strategy for their onboard retail programmes.”
Over the weekend, the UK national press reported that British Airways is overhauling its short-haul services on new aircraft in a move that emulates low-cost carriers.
The airline has sparked controversy by announcing it is removing reclining seats in economy class across a fleet of 35 new planes deploying over the next five years.
However, British Airways has argued that the new seats, which are only being introduced on the new aircraft, are already reclined. It claimed that such changes will drive lower fares. The airline is adding to its services by installing at-seat power points throughout the aircraft and will soon offer onboard WiFi.
“As well as new long-haul aircraft, we have 35 new short-haul planes arriving over the next five years. We’re also completely refurbishing the cabins of all of our existing A320 and A321 aircraft at Heathrow to improve quality and choice for our customers,” British Airways stated.
“The new aircraft will have brand new seats set to a gentle recline to ensure everyone in the cabin enjoys a comfortable journey.”
