British Airways have issued a statement as there are fears flights to Belfast City Airport could be impacted by striking staff at Heathrow. As ground staff at the London airport are heading towards industrial action, there are concerns this could have knock-on effects for Belfast flights.
Last week, 700 British Airways ground staff in terminals three and five at Heathrow airport voted for industrial action. They work landside (before the security search) at check-in, administering bookings, and checking documents - including Covid test and vaccination certificates - and walk the floor helping passengers.
Airside, they operate the boarding gates and provide support for travellers. Most are women, and they are represented by the GMB and Unite unions.
Read more: Airline apologises after Belfast passengers hit by flight cancellations
British Airways operate up to four flights per day between London Heathrow and Belfast City Airport during the summer months. It's predicted that disruption at Heathrow would have knock-on effects to regional airports such as Belfast City.
The airline said they will be keeping customers updated about what potential strike action will mean for them as the situation develops. They're currently negotiating with unions to find a solution and avoid industrial action.
A spokesperson for British Airways said: "We’re extremely disappointed with the result and that the unions have chosen to take this course of action. Despite the extremely challenging environment and losses of more than £4bn, we made an offer of a 10% payment which was accepted by the majority of other colleagues.
"We are fully committed to work together to find a solution, because to deliver for our customers and rebuild our business we have to work as a team. We will of course keep our customers updated about what this means for them as the situation evolves."
Strike action has been voted for due to staff's wages being cut by 10% as a result in a slump in aviation caused by the coronavirus pandemic. British Airways has offered a one-off payment of 10% this year, but workers want the cash restored into their basic pay.
Union officials have not yet announced dates for potential strike action. Two week's notice of industrial action must be given to an employer, so the earliest a stoppage could begin is July 8.
However, it's expected strikes will coincide with the first weekend of school summer holidays in England, July 9-10.
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