British Airways Strike Enters Its Second Day

The strike by British Airways cabin crew has entered its second day, with both sides claiming the advantage.

The Unite trade union said half of BA’s 250 planes had been grounded on the first day of the three-day stoppage.

But BA says it reinstated flights as so many worked, adding that 97% of cabin crew due to show up at Gatwick did so on Saturday, as did half at Heathrow.

The dispute centres on job cuts and a pay freeze. Another four-day stoppage is planned to begin on 27 March.

Unite insisted 80% of its 12,000 members had supported the first day of the walkout – the first by BA cabin crew in 13 years.

The union said BA’s Terminal 5 at Heathrow was like a “ghost town”, adding that the airline contingency plans were failing.
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British Airways Strike Leads To Cancellation of Thousands of Tickets

Thousands of passengers had their flights cancelled on Saturday following the launch of a strike by British Airways cabin crew.

It is first such strike in 13 years. fter talks over cost cutting between the airline and union Unite, which represents cabin crew, collapsed on Friday, the troubled airline said it hoped to keep flights running for up to 49,000 passengers on both Saturday and Sunday.

Unite said that its 12,000 members were supporting the three day walkout.

At Heathrow, which is the worst affected airport, screens were set up to protect the identities of BA staff who defied the strike.

BA said it expected 60 percent of its long-haul services and 30 percent short-haul services from Heathrow would be running over the weekend while short-haul flights from Gatwick would be halved.
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British Airways to Charter Planes from Another Airlines During Cabin Crew Strike

British Airways expects to lease up to 22 aircraft from eight airlines in order to maintain services during a planned cabin crew strike this month.

It will use the aircraft to supplement its short-haul schedule from London Heathrow, and allow it to operate, overall, about 30% of its short-haul schedule over the initial strike period.

British Airways expects to carry 60% of booked passengers during the three-day strike from 20-22 March, adding that a number of other customers will be offered alternative British Airways flights or services on other carriers.
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