British Airways Strike Schedule to Fly 60% of Passengers
British Airways has announced their flight schedule for the duration of the planned strike, which will start on Saturday for 3 days, while the second date is set for March 27 for 4 days. The airline says that they will be able to fly 60% of their passengers during the industrial action, which means some 30,000 passengers a day will not be able to fly.
In a statement on Monday afternoon, British Airways said that all of their flights will continue operating as normal until the first day of the strike. The schedule during the first days of action will include the operation of all flights to and from London City Airport, as well as all long-haul flights to and from Gatwick Airport.
Unite, the union representing British Airways’ cabin crew, has been openly criticized for allowing the strike to happen. Prime Minister Gordon Brown went on the Women’s Hour on Radio 4 show Monday morning, calling the planned industrial action unjustified and deplorable. Transport Secretary Lord Adonis has chimed in his criticism, which was basically the same thing. Neither criticisms have been successful at helping the situation though.
British Airways’ cabin crew are angry with cost-cutting measures put into action last year. The airline and Unite have been arguing over the changes in pay, working conditions and job cuts for months, and talks have broken down between the two many times. Last week, what seems to be, the final talks broke down without the sides coming to an agreement, giving the union no choice but to announce strike dates.
It’s the belief of analysts, the government and consumers that this strike could be the undoing of British Airways. Chief Executive Willie Walsh has said over and over that the cost-cutting decisions were made in order to save the company, and the High Court even agreed. So it looks like the cabin crew are condemning themselves and selfishly taking the rest of the carrier’s staff with them.
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