British Airways cancels hundreds of flights – see if yours is affected
MORE than 300 flights have been scrapped this Easter by British Airways because of strike action.
BA has confirmed they had to “make a small number of adjustments to our schedule” as a result of the walkouts.
The airline has reduced the number of flights to and from Heathrow Airport because of proposed strike action by airport security staff.
Airport security staff are set to walk out between March 31 and April 9 in a dispute over pay.
While long-haul services have not been impacted, around 300 flights will be affected including 16 short-haul flights daily.
The airline will be contacting customers who are affected by the strike action and passengers will either be rebooked onto another flight or offered a full refund.
Holidaymakers who are travelling through Heathrow airport have been asked to check in their hand luggage for free in a bid to cut security queues.
Heathrow airport has asked other airlines to stop selling tickets on affected strike days too.
British Airways flights from Gatwick and London City Airport will run as planned.
A British Airways spokesperson said: “Following Heathrow’s requirement for us to reduce the number of passengers travelling during the period of its employees’ proposed strike action, we’ve regrettably had to make a small number of adjustments to our schedule.
“We’ve apologised to customers whose travel plans have been affected and have offered them a range of options, including rebooking onto a new flight with us or another airline or requesting a full refund.
“Our teams are continuing to work closely with Heathrow to ensure that our customers’ journeys run smoothly.”
Sun Online Travel has contacted Heathrow airport for additional comment.
According to the Guardian, a spokesperson from Heathrow said: “We will not let these unnecessary strikes impact the hard-earned holidays of our passengers.
“Our contingency plans will keep the airport operating as normal throughout.
“We are deploying 1,000 additional colleagues and the entire management team who will be in the terminals providing assistance to passengers over the busy Easter getaway.”
Last year, British Airways was forced to cancel thousands of flights for similar reasons.
Meanwhile, another travel warning has been issued for Brit families heading to a top European tourist destination during Easter holidays.
Brits have been warned to “act now” if they want their passports to be renewed in time for holidays.