In lieu of the imminent industrial action at its London Heathrow (LHR) home, British Airways has canceled approximately 300 flights over the Easter travel rush.
About 1,400 security staff threatened to walk off the job from March 31, as demand negotiations stalled between LHR management and airport security.
The industrial action comes from the Unite Union, which covers many airport security staff based at Heathrow’s Terminal 5. The strikes are set to take place between March 31 and April 9.
The British carrier will be axing around five per cent of its usual daily schedule, with 16 short-haul daily return flights on the chopping block.
The airline has said that customers affected will be accommodated onto other services within 24 hours of their cancellation or could apply for a full refund.
Union members enforcing the strike have noted that they expect a minimum of 10 per cent in increased wages after many years of delay and pay freezes instigated during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As the union and staff represented operate solely for T5 and Campus Security (checking all cargo entering the airport), this directly affects British Airways, as T5 is its home base.
British Airways is expected to be the carrier most affected by the strike. However, Heathrow Airports Limited has encouraged other carriers to limit operations to ease congestion and delays over the strike period as well. British Airways also advised passengers that they can check their hand luggage free of charge in a plea to alleviate congestion at security.
In a statement from Heathrow Airports Limited (HAL), the airport plans to deploy 1,000 more staff to help ease the congestion expected.
“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.
“As at any busy time, it may take a little longer than usual to get through security, but this will be well managed and kept flowing,” the statement read in part.
