British Airways is cutting flights from Gatwick Airport and planning to axe more than 100 ground staff.

Although it is reintroducing its daily New York service, the airline expects next summer’s departures to be down by 15 per cent.

It is reducing aircraft at the airport from 41 to 37 and fewer departures will mean a cut in ground operations staff.

In a statement, BA said it had briefed employees and trade unions about the proposed reductions.

"We are looking to reduce our ground operations staff at the airport by more than 100 people. We are committed to doing this voluntarily and aim to have a voluntary severance programme in place by the end of this year."

All airlines are facing a drop in bookings as the global economic downturn hits business and leisure travel. BA has also sought to move operations to Heathrow Terminal 5.

Pre-tax profits fell steeply to £52m in the six months to September, down from £616m a year earlier.