British Airways strikes: Airline warns of continued disruption
British Airways has warned of continued disruption to flights after pilots held a two-day strike in a row over pay.
The airline said hundreds of its planes and pilots were in the wrong place following the strike action, which led to nearly all flights being cancelled on Monday and Tuesday.
Read more: British Airways pilots threaten further strikes unless stalemate is broken
As a result, it could take several days for the flight schedule to return to normal.
Heathrow airport, where BA has its highest number of slots, is the worst affected but Gatwick airport will also suffer, the airline warned.
BA CityFlyer flights from London City Airport have not been affected.
“The nature of our highly complex, global operation means that it will take some time to get back to a completely normal flight schedule,” BA said.
“Due to the union’s strike action, nearly half of our fleet of over 300 aircraft and more than 700 pilots will start the day in the wrong place.”
“In addition, more than 4,000 cabin crew have had disruption to their rosters, and in many cases will be unable to operate again for several days due to legal rest requirements.”
BA has been locked in a row with the British Airline Pilots’ Association (Balpa), which launched the strike action after talks over pay failed.
Balpa said the strikes had been a “powerful demonstration” of the strength of feeling of BA pilots and called for the airline to return to talks ahead of the next scheduled strike on 27 September.
Read more: Shares in British Airways owner IAG bounce as strike enters second day
“Surely any reasonable employer would listen to such a clear message, stop threatening and bullying, and start working towards finding a solution,” said Balpa general secretary Brian Strutton.
BA pilots previously rejected an 11.5 per cent pay increase over three years, which was offered by the airline in July.
Main image credit: Getty