BRITISH Airways (BA) is to train a team of Chinese ground staff to help Hongkong passengers flying in and out of London Heathrow Airport.
It is one of a string of moves Britain's flag carrier has been taking to steal the initiative back from its rival on the Hongkong-London route, Cathay Pacific, which relaunched its first-class service last year.
BA is in the midst of a HK$1.2 billion worldwide product enhancement programme, which encompasses improved in-flight entertainment and catering, new seat and cabin design, and simplified airport formalities.
A new arrivals lounge at Heathrow has also been added for Club World, first-class and Concorde passengers.
Mr Roddy Wilson, general manager Far East, said BA was anxious to regain its reputation as the best first-class service operator in the region.
BA's Chinese-language service will have a seven-member team, fluent in Cantonese, Mandarin and English, and be open to all BA passengers.
