Airline passenger news and views

BA say that they are planning to re-instate some cancelled short and long-haul flights after more than the expected number of cabin crew turned up for work in defiance of the three-day strike call. However, thousands of passengers are still expected to suffer as cabin crew are encouraged to strike over the airline's cost cutting plans.

Len McCluskey, assistant general secretary of Unite talked about the dignity of the workers but failed to mention the loss of dignity of the would- be passengers. With its multiple picket lines, Heathrow is the worst affected UK airport but coordinated action by unions overseas will cause further damage.

BA has a well thought out contingency plan and is working with some sixty other airlines to reduce the impact of the strike but even with about 50% of cabin crew reporting for work, this is a very serious situation and both passengers and the airline will suffer.

Chief executive Willie Walsh said he hoped 64% of passengers would be flying without a problem. BA planned to operate all long-haul flights to and from Gatwick plus around half of short-haul flights, while all flights to and from London City Airport were expected to fly as scheduled.

A number of empty long-haul re-positioning flights have also been scheduled so that aircraft and pilots are in the right place when the strike comes to an end.

Mr McCluskey said “United together, we will defeat this intransigent management and we will restore dignity and respect to British cabin crew and to the British Airways workers”. One flight attendant on the Heathrow picket line claimed to have received "tremendous" support from the public and morale was high. Some members of the public may, however, wish to disagree.