The news came too late to reinstate all of the 100 or so flights that had been cancelled or diverted. While
British Airways says it will reinstate all the cancelled flights, the agreement came too late to “uncancel” all
flights on other airlines, including Air Canada and United flights that were not dispatched from Toronto,
Vancouver, New York, Washington DC and Chicago last night.
Passengers are entitled to be rebooked on alternative flights as close as possible to the original timing. Since
the cause of current cancellations and any future disruption is not the airlines’ fault, there is no entitlement
to a cash payout under European air passengers’ rights rules.
If tomorrow’s strike goes ahead as planned, more flights will be cancelled in advance – a strategy designed
to limit the scale of the problem.
Heathrow is the world’s busiest two-runway airport, and has very little slack in the system. If travellers are
delayed at security and arrive at the gate late, then the airline has to choose between keeping the plane on
the ground – which will trigger problems later on in the day – or departing without some of the passengers
on board, with all the problems that will create.
Passengers will be told arrive earlier than normal at Heathrow, and to check in all but a small shoulder bag
or rucksack.There will be no charge for checking in what would, in normal circumstances, comprise cabin
baggage.
Acas will also host continuing talks between British Airways pilots and BA’s management today. Nearly
4,000 pilots who work for British Airways and belong to the British Airline Pilots’ Association (Balpa) have
voted overwhelmingly to reject a pay deal that BA says is worth 11.5 per cent over three years.
The two sides are set to talk today and tomorrow, and the union has promised not to call a strike during
negotiations. The law requires two weeks’ notice of industrial action, and no announcement of industrial
action is expected before Wednesday – meaning the earliest action could begin is 20 August.
Meanwhile at Gatwick, 120 security staff working for the private firm ICTS are scheduled to strike for 48
hours starting at 6am on Saturday 10 August, which their union, Unite, says will cause travel disruption.
Gatwick airport says it does not foresee any delays or disruption to passengers.
In terms of scale, the possible strike by Ryanair pilots who are members of Balpa is more significant. A
strike ballot on issues including pensions, allowances and maternity benefits closes on Wednesday 7
August, and if it is in favour of industrial action it could trigger a stoppage as early as 21 August.