Britain’s busiest airport announced it will extend its 100,000 daily cap on passenger numbers for another six weeks until 29 October 2022, prompting British Airways to slash 10,000 flights to and from London Heathrow until 31 March 2023.
Heathrow announced the extension of its current daily cap on passenger numbers until the end of the summer schedule, asking airlines to sell fewer flights as it struggles with the persistent worldwide staffing shortages across aviation.
The airport has not announced whether it will extend the daily passenger cap through winter.
British Airways said more than 600 return flights to and from Heathrow will be cancelled up to 29 October when its winter schedule starts.
BA’s short-haul services will be cut by eight per cent from the end of October to late March when the summer 2023 schedule will commence.
The airline has already cut tens of thousands of flights in the Northern Hemisphere summer season and stopped ticket sales on short-haul flights in response to Heathrow’s daily passenger cap.
Airlines and airports worldwide have struggled to meet pent-up demand from business and leisure travellers, which has led to chaotic scenes at check-in and baggage services and long security queues since April this year.
BA said while the impact on passengers would be “minimal”, some cancellations will be unavoidable.
The airline is offering customers affected by any changes an alternative flight with British Airways or another airline, or the option of a refund.
Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport, which has also been impacted by staff shortages, is offering compensation to passengers who missed flights due to hours-long security screening queues.
Via AAP
