Bob Ayling Steps Down as Chief Executive

British Airways PLC
10 March 2000

         BOB AYLING STEPS DOWN AS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF BRITISH AIRWAYS

Mr. Robert Ayling, the Chief Executive of British Airways today announced his
resignation.

Mr. Ayling has been Chief Executive for the past four years.  He has been with
the airline for fifteen years.  During his time British Airways has experienced
unprecedented pressures from competitors and pioneered significant changes which
flowed through the rest of the airline industry.

'The past four years have been tough and stimulating, and I am proud of the
achievements of British Airways in that time' Mr. Ayling said.

Mr. Ayling said the demands of the past four years had taken their toll and it
was time for a new Chief Executive to take up the challenge.

'In sporting parlance, the hard yards have been done and British Airways is well
positioned to continue to be the leading international airline in an
increasingly competitive industry'.  I wish to thank the people of British
Airways and wish them good luck.'

British Airways was the first major airline to introduce first class sleeper
beds, the first to recognise the need for global airline alliances and it
established a low-fare, no frills airline, Go.

Mr. Ayling (54) intends to take a break with his family before considering
future career options.  

'Inevitably, the pressures have affected my family and I owe it to them to take
some time off and spend it with them'.

The Chairman of British Airways, Lord Marshall will take on the role of Chief
Executive, with the present management team reporting to him, while a successor
to Mr. Ayling is being sought.

Paying tribute to Mr. Ayling, Lord Marshall said 'Bob Ayling has made a major
contribution to this company over the last fifteen years by helping to increase
the efficiency of our operations and in strategically repositioning the airline
since becoming Chief Executive at the beginning of 1996.  The Board remains
firmly committed to our present strategy.

This has been a very challenging period for the whole of the industry which has
faced fierce competition.  We would therefore like to thank Bob and wish him
well in the future'.