British Airways will cut more flights during the crucial summer holiday months, as airlines and airports across Europe struggle to keep up with strong post-pandemic demand from holidaymakers.
British Airways will cut more flights during the crucial summer holiday months, as airlines and airports across Europe struggle to keep up with strong post-pandemic demand from holidaymakers.
Britain last month temporarily relaxed rules around airport slots to allow airlines to devise realistic flight schedules and avoid last-minute cancellations in light of staff shortages.
“This new flexibility means that we can further reduce our schedule and consolidate some of our quieter services so that we can protect as many of our holiday flights as possible,” a BA spokesperson said in an email.
The announcement will affect tens of thousands of travellers planning to fly from London’s Heathrow and Gatwick airports.
The airline announced in April that it would cancel 10 per cent of its flights between April and October to avoid having to call off flights on the day of departure.
The latest cancellations take the figure to around 11 per cent. British Airlines said it is offering customers refunds or rebooking on other flights.
“We took preemptive action earlier this year to reduce our summer schedule to provide customers with as much notice as possible about any changes to their travel plans,” British Airways said.
“As the entire aviation industry continues to face into the most challenging period in its history, regrettably, it has become necessary to make some further reductions,” it added.
Airlines and airports in Europe, the United States and elsewhere are suffering from staff shortages in jobs ranging from luggage handlers to security personnel.
The shortages, combined with a surge in demand for travel following the lifting of coronavirus restrictions in many places, have led to airport lines and flight delays.
The British Airways cancellations follow a vote by its workers at Heathrow Airport to stage a walkout in a dispute over pay. The workers, including check-in staff, are deciding on strike dates, but they are expected to take place during the peak European summer holiday period in August.
Via AAP
