The week ahead

May 9 2008 By Andrew Mernin

Annual results from supermarket giant Sainsbury’s and British Airways are the highlights of a busy week for corporate news, which also sees figures from travel giants TUI Travel and Thomas Cook.

British Airways reports full year figures on Friday after a torrid past year for the group, blighted by its chaotic move to Heathrow’s Terminal 5 and fuel price woes from soaring oil costs.

The shambolic opening of T5 at the end of March saw the group suffer reputational embarrassment worldwide, while the latest passenger statistics showed it also impacted on business, with 7.9% fewer passenger travelling with BA last month year-on-year.

Friday’s figures will not show any financial hit from the T5 troubles, coming right at the end of its financial year, but they are likely to reveal the true cost of BA’s vulnerability to the rocketing cost of crude.

The carrier has already said that it expects its fuel bill to have cost £2.1bn in the year to March 31 and warned that it could have to fork out £2.5bn in the current financial year.

With oil having risen past 126 US dollars at one stage in recent days, the group has been hammered on the stock market alongside other travel groups as investors fear the inevitable bottom-line impact.

Online and in nebusiness next week

On Monday, in The Journal and online, meet the architect behind some of the biggest developments in Newcastle.

On Tuesday the Evening Gazette looks at how Teesside companies are moving towards a low-carbon economy and also finds out how the high street is fighting back against the supermarkets.  Meanwhile, Tuesday's bumper business section also features a head-to-head interview with luxury car executive Robert Bennett.

On Wednesday in The Journal's weekly commercial property supplement - and online - Graeme King looks at the hot property in Sunderland's ever-changing skyline.

Online and in The Journal on Thursday we bring you our new four-page technology supplement nedigital business. Next week's issue features an in-depth look at the IT sector's skills shortage and uncovers the new Microsoft technology which will make its UK debut in the North East.

On Friday The Journal brings you the latest construction news from around the region and beyond.