BA says likely to cut capacity for winter 2008-09

LONDON (Reuters) - British Airways Plc said on Friday it was likely to cut capacity on its routes for the winter 2008-09 season but its summer 2008 capacity would be unaffected.

Chief executive Willie Walsh also told reporters there was scope for further efficiencies in most parts of the business, as it seeks to cope with a doubling in the price of oil that could add 1 billion pounds ($1.95 billion) to its annual fuel bill.

Walsh said he would like to grow traffic on BA's Web site.

Walsh, who is not accepting a bonus for the 2007-08 year, said he had not faced pressure from BA's board or investors.

Earlier, BA said it was reviewing its capacity, costs and network against the backdrop of economic pressures and high fuel prices, as it met forecasts with a 45 percent rise in annual profit.

(Reporting by Dan Lalor, Editing by Mark Potter)