Heathrow Airport strikes – Which flights are cancelled and how will I be affected?
HEATHROW is expected to be plunged into chaos next week as 172 flights have been cancelled over strikes affecting thousands of passengers. Travellers using the airport on August 5-6 has been advised to check with their airline regarding whether their flights are cancelled. Which flights are cancelled? Due to the planned strikes, the airport has […]
HEATHROW is expected to be plunged into chaos next week as 172 flights have been cancelled over strikes affecting thousands of passengers.
Travellers using the airport on August 5-6 has been advised to check with their airline regarding whether their flights are cancelled.
Which flights are cancelled?
Due to the planned strikes, the airport has worked with airlines including BA to “proactively cancel” 172 flights out of the hub.
British Airways, which is based at Heathrow, is expected to be one of the most heavily affected.
A two-day strike involving security guards, firefighters, engineers, passenger service operatives and passenger service drivers is planned to start at 00:01 on Monday August 5, finishing at 23:59 Tuesday August 6.
Unite said that around 88,000 passengers will be affected if the industrial action goes ahead.
How will I be affected?
Unite warned that two more strikes could follow on 23 and 24 August, while a separate dispute between British Airways and its pilots is threatening to cause further disruption later this month.
The union said Heathrow’s latest pay offer amounted to just £3.75 more per day than its first offer and warned the airport could end up having to pay £4.6m in compensation costs to airlines if two further strikes take place later in August.
“Our low paid members will sacrifice a day’s pay if they go on strike and are only too aware of the disruption it will cause,” said Wayne King, a regional officer at Unite.
“However, they are at a point where they have had enough with being given crumbs while shareholders pocket billions in dividends and the chief executive enjoys a pay rise of over 100%.”
A Heathrow spokesperson said: “We are disappointed that Unite has rejected the latest pay offer and will continue to seek an agreement at ACAS.
“Unite is proceeding with its unnecessary strike action on 5th and 6th August and we regret that passengers looking to get away on well-earned breaks will be impacted by this.
Will I get my money back if my flight is cancelled or delayed?
If your flight is cancelled, you have the legal right to either a full refund within seven days or a replacement flight to your destination.
This applies for whatever reason your flight was cancelled or how long before you were told it would no longer be be flying.
If your flight is delayed by three hours or more and you were flying to or from a European airport, or with an EU-based airline such as Ryanair or British Airways then you can claim compensation up to €250 (£229) for short-haul flights and €400 (£367) for mid-haul flights and €600 (£530) for long-haul flights.
But the airline might not payout if it’s out of their control, for example, due to bad weather or strikes.
“We have activated contingency plans which will keep the airport open and safe on both strike days. We expect security queue times to be slightly longer than normal and advise passengers to check our website for detailed information on how to prepare for their flights and when to arrive at the airport.
“As part of our plans, we are working with airlines to proactively consolidate flights and rebook passengers onto alternative services in advance. We also advise passengers to contact their airlines for the latest information, as well as follow our Twitter and Facebook accounts for further updates.”
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The airport also advised passengers to allow plenty of time for their journey as queues may be longer than usual.
They should arrive two hours before departure for UK and European flights and three hours for all other flights.
Further disruption is expected at Gatwick Airport on August 10 and 11, when security workers will walk out for 48 hours in a dispute over “poverty pay” rates.