dba is a low-cost Germany-based airline, known as Deutsche BA. It was a British Airways (BA) subsidiary until its sale in 2003.

Code Data

• IATA Code: DI
• ICAO Code: BAG
• Callsign: Speedway

History

The airline formed in 1992 as a partnership between BA and three German banks. By the time BA sold it in June 2003 it had become Germany's second largest domestic airline.

Rod Eddington replaced Bob Ayling as British Airways Chief Executive in May 2000, starting major reviews of the airline's operations. First indications of a BA review of its German arm came in 2001 at which time Deutsche BA had amassed losses of over £15m. On May 3 2002 easyJet announced that it intended to pursue a purchase of former BA subsidiary Go. easyjet followed with an announcement on May 8 2002 that it had signed an exclusive agreement with British Airways giving it the option to purchase Deutsche BA. easyJet had until March 31 2003, or with an extension until July 3 2003, to purchase the airline. During this time Deutsche BA would remain fully under BA control. However, easyJet had several commitments: send three managers to the German operation, contribute £3m for capital expenditure and pay BA £366,000 per month until it exercised its option. In March 2003 easyJet announced it had abandoned its plans to acquire Deutsche BA, citing the economic climate and employment laws in Germany.

In June 2003 BA announced plans to sell Deutsche BA to Intro Verwaltungsgesellschaft for a token sum of 1 Euro. In addition BA would invest £25m into the airline and guarantee its fleet of 16 Boeing 737s for a year. In return BA would receive 25% of any profits or proceeds from a sale until June 2006.

Fleet

The dba fleet consists of the following aircraft (at April 2005):

• 15 Boeing 737-300
• 2 Boeing 737-500

External Links

• dba
• dba Fleet Detail
• dba Passenger Opinions