British Airways | CEO Alex Cruz steps down after HR and jobs furore

Alex Cruz has stepped down as British Airways CEO after heavy financial losses, bitter union disputes and widespread criticism over the treatment of staff during rounds of job cuts.

With £3.8bn losses announced in July, as custom collapsed during the coronavirus crisis, Cruz was accused of leading a ‘fire and rehire’ job cuts strategy, as he oversaw 12,000 staff being made redundant.

In September, Cruz had to defend the job cuts strategy after unions said it was a gambit to pish 30,000 employees who still have jobs onto downgraded terms and conditions.

For staff who initially did not face redundancy, there was the possibility of future job cuts or new contracts with lower pay.