BA's fuel inquiry engulfs two officials

British Airways, the largest airline of the United Kingdom, undergoing inquiry by the U.K. and U.S authorities for suspected price fixing of fuel surcharges, said on Monday, that the two officials on leave since June have resigned.

The pair is commercial director Martin George and head of communications Iain Burns.

The firm said that Martin George, who has been on a leave of absence since the time the investigations began, wrote in a letter addressed to the company that there has been inapt verbalization in relation to the 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," George said in the letter published in a statement by British Airways.

George served for the British Airways for 19 years and said he was leaving "with deep regret, while believing that departing is, in these circumstances and for these reasons, nevertheless, the right course".

British Airways informed that the head of communications Iain Burns have resigned too.

U.K, along with the U.S. Department of Justice raided British Airways in June as part of the Trans-Atlantic investigation into an alleged cartel over airfares and surcharges.

American Airlines, United Airlines and Richard Branson's Virgin Atlantic Airways elucidated the fact that they too were a part of the investigation, but were not the direct targets.

British Airways, the largest in the world, has more flights from Europe across the Atlantic than any other operator. It's main hubs are London Heathrow and London Gatwick, with wide-reaching European and domestic short-haul networks, including smaller hubs at other U.K. airports including Manchester, from which some longer-haul flights are also operated.

The company holds a United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority Type A Operating Licence, which is permitted to carry passengers, cargo and mail on aircraft with 20 or more seats.

Under the Anglo-U.S. aviation trade treaty, British Airways, American Airlines, United Airlines and Richard Branson's Virgin Atlantic Airways are the only carriers allowed to fly directly between London's Heathrow Airport and the United States.

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) said, that British Airways offices were visited as part of a civil and criminal investigation into alleged price harmonization. The U.S. Department of Justice is examining possibility of anti-competitive practices in airline passenger fares and cargo shipments.

In May 2004, British Airways introduced fuel levy for the first time.

British Airways informed that it’s planning director Robert Boyle will take the place of Martin George and Thomas Coops, former communications director at Abbey National had been appointed as the temporary head of corporate and media relations.