BA top marketer George quits after fuel inquiry

British Airways’ commercial director Martin George, who has been on leave of absence since June following allegations of price fixing, has resigned from the airline.

The Office of Fair Trading and the US Department of Justice began separate investigations earlier this year focusing on long-haul passenger fuel surcharges.

At the time, it was reported that maximum sentencing if George and Burns were found guilty could be up to five years in prison each and an 850m fine for BA.

Iain Burns, British Airways’ head of communications, has also resigned with immediate effect.

In a letter to BA chairman Martin Broughton, George wrote: “I now recognise that within my department, there may have been inappropriate conversations in violation of company policy in relation to long-haul fuel surcharges. I was not involved in such conversations. Although the board of BA have not found that I have behaved in a dishonest way, I fully recognise my responsibilities as head of department and as a board director.”

Robert Boyle, British Airways’ director of planning, has been appointed commercial director with immediate effect.

Thomas Coops, former communications director at Abbey, has been appointed interim head of corporate and media relations. He will be responsible for providing communications advice to the company and managing media relations and replaces Burns.