Jet setters flying with British Airways this Easter may find themselves disappointed as the company cancelled hundreds of flights across the bank holiday weekend.
As the upcoming long weekend fast approaches, those flying out of Heathrow, as well as those who have connecting flights at the London airport may find their travel disrupted - with BA significantly having to reduce inbound and outbound flights due to an airport security strike.
Members of Unite will walk out for ten days as of Friday - amid disputes over pay. Talks to avert the action took place last week, although these came to an unsuccessful conclusion.
The Mirror reports Heathrow announced "contingency plans" as well as drafting 1,000 extra staff into terminals to help passengers during the Easter getaway. A spokesperson from BA said: "Following Heathrow's requirement for us to reduce the number of passengers travelling during the period of its employees' proposed strike action, we've regrettably had to make a small number of adjustments to our schedule.
"We've apologised to customers whose travel plans have been affected and have offered them a range of options, including rebooking on to a new flight with us or another airline, or requesting a full refund. Our teams are continuing to work closely with Heathrow to ensure that our customers' journeys run smoothly."
Over the course of the ongoing industrial action, BA has cancelled around five per cent of its flights, even halting ticket sales for strike days. Cancellations all affect short-haul flights, with long-haul journeys taking place as usual.
While the airline is yet to release a list of affected flights, those affected will be contacted says BA. Routes which have multiple flights each day are more likely to be cancelled, with British Airways attempting to group passengers together on single planes.
Passengers have also been offered free hand-luggage checks in a bid to reduce time spent in security queues.
Meanwhile, all of BA's services from London City Airport and Gatwick are currently unaffected. A Heathrow spokesperson said: "We will not let these unnecessary strikes impact the hard-earned holidays of our passengers.
"Our contingency plans will keep the airport operating as normal throughout. We are deploying 1,000 additional colleagues and the entire management team, who will be in the terminals providing assistance to passengers over the busy Easter getaway.
"As at any busy time, it may take a little longer than usual to get through security, but this will be well-managed and kept flowing.
"Passengers can help us ensure they get the best start to their journeys by checking their flight status with their airline before travelling to the airport, arriving at Heathrow no earlier than two hours before short-haul flights and three hours before long-haul flights, and by being ready for security with their compliant liquids and electronics out of their hand luggage."
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