LONDON (AP) — British Airways plans to reduce the number of flights leaving London's Gatwick Airport, the company said, adding that it hopes to shed more than 100 jobs at check-in desks and ground operations there.

British Airways PLC said it plans to reduce departures from Gatwick Airport, Britain's second-largest, by 15 percent next summer compared to this summer.

BA also plans to cut the number of aircraft operating from the airport by 4, from 41 to 37.

The company said it was hoping to persuade staff to quit their jobs voluntarily.

Trade union GMB said the announcement came as a surprise, adding that it thought that as many as 180 jobs could be at stake.