Flights axed ahead of new BA strike

British Airways began cancelling flights on Friday ahead of another strike by pilots due to take place on 27 September. Thousands of passengers received emails offering them a full refund or the option to rebook on an alternative date or airline.

Under EU rules, airlines must give at least 14 days’ notice of flight cancellations or become liable to pay compensation but BA said its decision was “to give customers as much certainty as possible”. 

The airline, which was bit by a 48hr stoppage last week, added: "We are very sorry BALPA's actions will affect thousands more travel plans. We urge them to call off their strike and return to negotiations.

The British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA) called the decision to cancel flights before the next proposed strike “irresponsible and inconsiderate to its customers” and said the airline had done so to avoid the compensation rule.

The union said on Thursday: "BALPA set a gap between the first and second periods of strike action to give BA time to work with us to settle this dispute with their pilots. We had today been exchanging new ideas to do that.”

"Passengers who will be affected by these cancellations should know we have given BA multiple opportunities to work with us so we could call off this action."

www.britishairways.com

www.balpa.org

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