BA expects to carry more passengers through strike

Monday, 18 Mar, 2010 0

More volunteers have come forward to help British Airways run an increased flight schedule through this weekend’s threatened strike by cabin crew.

The airline said it is to increase its flying schedule for the period of Unite’s strikes as larger volumes of cabin crew call the airline to offer to work in support of the company’s contingency operation.

The number of cabin crew offering to work as normal has increased significantly since Monday when BA announced its revised schedule. Numbers are expected to grow further, the carrier said.

This should mean that BA will be able to fly more than the 60% of passengers originally thought during the three-day strike starting on Saturday.

The number of other airlines offering help for the strike period through charters or provision of spare seats has increased from 50 on Monday to more than 60.

This has enabled the airline to reinstate some previously cancelled flights and provide extra capacity for both long haul and short haul destinations.

The number of passengers to be flown should rise from 45,000 a day to 49,000 a day.

For example, this will allow the airline to fly home more competitors and supporters from the Winter Paralympics in Vancouver.

Chief executive Willie Walsh said: “The determination of our colleagues across the whole business to keep the flag flying this weekend is increasing.

“I am delighted by the numbers of cabin crew who have been getting in touch with us to express their disillusion with Unite’s position.

“Our crews just want to work as normal, do their usual terrific job and look after our customers.

“We will now have the potential to fly more than 4,000 additional customers per day and serve more destinations.

We believe this is a helpful move at a time when customers are facing rising fares with alternative carriers.

“Morale among our operations teams is high. Yesterday was our most punctual day at Heathrow for months, thanks to the efforts of all parts of the airline.”

by Phil Davies

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Phil Davies

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