There has been a long history of disputes between BA and Virgin.

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BA, whose long-haul business has long relied heavily on flights to Asia and Australia, flies to Beijing and Shanghai, and also Hong Kong.

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He ordered 26 BA planes at different long-haul destinations to be flown to their London bases, Heathrow and Gatwick.

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British Overseas Air Corporation was a precursor to BA, concentrating on long-haul routes in the early years of mass air travel.

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BA, which has long dictated aviation policy to British governments, duly offered to drop its resistance to open skies in exchange for approval for its link-up with American.

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This could bounce back quickly with economic recovery in America and, provided that cost increases from environmental measures are not too onerous, the long-haul travel on which BA's profitability depends should revive in time.

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BA's proposals, which represent a decade-long funding plan, have already been agreed by the pension fund's trustees.

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All flights from Gatwick and London City airports are expected to operate as normal, BA said, while a "substantial" number of long-haul flights from Heathrow will run as planned.

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