BA helps FTSE take flight

Shortly after 8.15am, the benchmark blue-chip index was up more than 52 points, or 1.24%, at 4,305.46. The struggling airline saw stocks jump 6.9p or 5.45% to 133.5p this morning, after the deal, which also sees 4,000 employees taking unpaid leave and 1,400 working part-time, was announced yesterday. British Airways says the move could save the company up to £10m. Meanwhile, heating and plumbing producer Wolseley advanced 45p, or 4.17%, to £11.23 while mining giant Kazakhmys was also among the biggest winners, gaining 25.5p, or 4.08%, to 650p. Intertek Group was among the biggest f...