London-Gatwick Airport is apparently so important to British Airways that it is thinking out loud about setting up a new subsidiary. This should operate cheaper than the mainline. BA Cityflyer, operator of the Embraer fleet from London City, serves as a model.

British Airways has not had any success with its own low costers in the past. With Go one meant to have to stand up to Ryanair and Easyjet in Stansted, among others, but the project was a financial fiasco. Things didn't go any better with GB Airways, which was originally founded as a Gibraltar offshoot. Ultimately, Easyjet took over this daughter. Incidentally, Go was also swallowed by the orange competitor.

With reference to an internal circular, Reuters reports that they want to set up a subsidiary in Gatwick based on the example of Iberia Express. This should have "more competitive costs". With a high degree of probability, this means wages. The new carrier is to be used in the external appearance of British Airways. So there are no plans to bring the IAG brand Level back to Gatwick.

In any case, they are seeking dialogue with the trade unions and negotiations have begun. In general, the IAG confirms in a statement that British Airways would like to reactivate the short-haul network from Gatwick. However, they do not want to comment on the possible new subsidiary.