Md. OKs subsidy to entice British Airways ANNAPOLIS, MD. (AP) (wesm) - The Maryland Board of Public Works has authorized an incentive that could persuade British Airways to continue operating at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.

Under an agreement with the state, the airline would get the subsidy if the rate of return on sales falls below 8 percent. The state would pay up to $5.5 million per year for two years.

State officials say the airline is being squeezed by fuel costs. British Airways flies between BWI and London's Heathrow Airport.

British Airways is one of only four international carriers remaining at BWI. The others are Air Canada, Air Jamaica and USA 3000. Officials said they were concerned BWI would no longer be international without state assistance.

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