The biggest strike in the history of British Airways has gone ahead today, despite BA’s attempts to stop pilots walking out. Over the next two days, around 200,000 passengers will face disruption as almost 1,700 flights have been grounded.
Passengers due to travel with BA today and tomorrow have been told by the airline not to travel to the airport if their flight is cancelled.
Members of the British Airline Pilots’ Association (Balpa) are in dispute with BA over pay. The airline stated earlier this month that they offered a generous pay raise to its pilots, but it was declined.
As well as todays flights from Heathrow and Gatwick, BA cancelled over 50 of its intercontinental flights to Heathrow last night, according to The Independent. The reasoning behind cancelling these flights was BA are not able to house all of their planes at the London airports. Also, many people flying into the UK with BA intend to continue their journey’s, so the cancellations will prevent chaos at Heathrow.
BA are blaming the vast cancellations on Balpa for not alerting them of how many pilots would be on strike. The airline remains hopeful that they will reach an agreement to prevent further strikes from happening.
Passengers due to travel with BA today and tomorrow were given ample warning of possible cancellations. Those who have been affected can read more on what they are entitled to here.
