Passengers on flights lasting less than two hours will only be served drinks and snacks from 10am, the airline confirmed. BA's latest belt-tightening measure will be implemented from Monday.

"When you fly with British Airways, the in-flight catering is top-class and, unlike some other airlines, it is free," a BA spokesman said.

"It is not unusual to make small changes to avoid waste and save money where it makes sense and it meets customers' changing tastes."

Around one fifth of BA's 40 000-strong workforce, including pilots, have already agreed to accept cuts in pay or to work for free to help the group save millions of pounds.

BA is in trouble after recently posting an annual loss of £375-million, which it blamed on high fuel costs.

In a bid to turn around its fortunes, the airline is also slashing capital expenditure by one fifth and cutting 3700 jobs during its current financial year, which ends in March. BA already slashed 2500 jobs worldwide in 2008-09.

The world's leading commercial airlines are facing a major cash squeeze as the global economic slump crushes demand for air travel.

Ed's note: The change does not affect the South African operation of BA/Comair.

AFP