BA buys into online travel business

British Airways has taken a minority stake in Biztravel.com, a rapidly developing internet-based business travel planning and booking service.

Said to be the only full-service specialist of its kind, Biztravel has so far focused on North America, but BA's involvement will be the spur to development in global markets.

BA also recently announced a tie-up with interactive television company NTL.

Head of distribution Pat Gaffey explained: "It is important that we work closely with the best online distributors so that customers choosing to do business across the net or through television have easy access to our products." The airline expects to handle up to 50% of its business electronically by 2003.

BA may not be able to get its Millennium Wheel off the ground, but it knows where business travel is going.

Elliott Chase