Flights cancelled LIVE: BA cancels MORE trips leaving Brits’ summer plans in RUINS; plus easyJet, TUI & Ryanair latest
TENS of thousands of passengers are anticipating turmoil this summer as airlines prepare to announce a new wave of cancellations.
On Friday, it was reported that EasyJet is already cancelling thousands of flights this summer due to staff shortages.
The airline has said: “The vast majority of customers’ flights will not be impacted and of those that are, the majority of customers will be re-booked within 24 hours.
“We will be notifying affected customers directly in the coming days with information on their alternative flight or the option to rebook or receive a refund.”
British Airways has also cancelled several flights, sparked by an amnesty on take-off and landing slots.
It previously intended to carry 1.8 million passengers across more than 9,000 flights from Heathrow during July alone.
Read our live flight delays blog below for the latest information...
Which? says last-minute cancellations are ‘unacceptable’
Which? has called the daily flight cancellations for thousands of passengers “totally unacceptable”.
Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, said: “Thousands of EasyJet passengers have had their travel plans thrown into chaos by flight cancellations. Some holidaymakers have been notified on the day they were due to travel, which is totally unacceptable.
“We continue to hear concerning examples of the airline failing to fulfil its legal obligations to passengers and ignoring their rights. If a flight is cancelled within 14 days of departure, passengers could be entitled to compensation and should be offered the option of being rerouted using another carrier if necessary. We know this requirement is not always being met, so the government and Civil Aviation Authority must intervene where airlines are playing fast and loose with the rules.
“The cavalier approach some airlines are currently taking towards their customers is a reminder of why passenger rights must be strengthened. The government should drop plans to slash compensation for delayed and cancelled domestic flights and give the CAA direct fining powers so it can properly hold airlines to account when they flout the law.”
Labour accuses Grant Shapps of being ‘missing in action’
Shadow transport minister Mike Kane has accused Grant Shapps of being “missing in action” when it comes to aviation.
Responding to the Transport Secretary’s 22-point plan, Mr Kane told the Commons: “He is missing in action when it comes to aviation. Now, he has mentioned the chaos between Easter and the Jubilee weekend. He did not hold one meeting with aviation bosses during that time.
“Now EasyJet have announced among others that they could cancel 10,000 flights in the next three months.
“He needs to step up to the plate, he needs to go to the Prime Minister, he needs to knock on the door, and he needs to clean up the mess.”
Ryanair spokesperson say strike action ‘poorly supported’
A spokesperson from airline Ryanair told the Sun Online that they still expect to operate a full schedule this weekend and that the strikes were “poorly supported”.
They said: “Ryanair expects to operate a full schedule to/from Spain this weekend (30thJune, 1st July & 2nd July) despite minor and poorly supported labour strikes in Spain.”
Ryanair are not the only airline to be facing walkouts this weekend, with easyJet on-board crew in Spain set for nine days of action in July, starting from this week between July 1 and 3.
The strikes will see three 72-hour stoppages at fortnightly intervals, with hundreds of crew stopping work at easyJet’s bases in Barcelona, Málaga and Palma.
Not just Ryanair facing disruption this summer
It would seem Ryanair is not the only airline facing disruption as we approach the summer.
It was recently announced that around 700 check-in and ground staff for British Airways will walk out.
The workers, all of whom are based at Heathrow and are members of the GMB and Unite unions, could down tools as early as July 8.
Heathrow passengers are among those to face particular misery so far this summer after the hub cancelled ten per cent of its plane journeys earlier this week.
Explained: Why wouldn’t I get my money back?
The airline doesn’t have to give you a refund if the flight was cancelled due to reasons beyond their control, such as extreme weather.
They’ll usually say this is because it is down to an “extraordinary circumstance” but it can be a tetchy subject, and one plenty of customers prefer to contest.
You can try challenging this if you think you should have got your some money back, or at least flown in the first place.
For example, other airlines may have set off at the same time yours was kept back.
Take any complaints to aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
You’re also not going to get any money back if you were forewarned of the cancellation.
If you’re told at least two weeks in advance you should have time to swap your booking without paying a penalty, at least that’s the airline’s thinking as they won’t dish out automatic refunds.
You also won’t be able to claim compensation for flights cancelled but rerouted that get you to your destination no more than two hours later than planned.
You can’t of course get your money back if you do opt for the alternative flight.
The latest chaos to hit the UK aviation industry
Passengers using Heathrow in recent weeks have experienced long queues, and many have been separated from their luggage for several days.
There are fears that the severe disruption seen at UK airports in the run-up to Easter and the Jubilee bank holiday will return during the peak summer holiday period.
Will I get my money back if I cancel my flight?
If a refund is due, the company says it will refund the card the booking was made under.
This should arrive in three to four days, but can take 28 days. You are advised to contact easyJet if it takes longer and you have 12 months to request a refund.
If you do not fly for any reason, you are entitled to money back from government flight taxes.
From the UK, these are £13 per flight for over-16s on all routes – except for Egypt, Jordan and Israel which is £80.
How do you cancel an easyJet flight?
To cancel an easyJet flight, you need to go to the easyJet website.
Go to the Manage Bookings section and use your surname and booking reference to log in, and then choose the flight reservation you wish to cancel and click “Cancel”.
If you are asked to pay a cancellation fee, you can do so by entering your card payment details – and your flight should now be cancelled.
Alternatively, customers can call the easyJet customer service team on 0330 365 5000.
You can also cancel flights at an easyJet Help Desk at most airports – but this must be under two hours before take-off.
If your flight is cancelled due to a coronavirus travel ban or the Foreign Office advises against travel to your destination, you will be fully refunded.
But if you choose not to fly due to personal safety concerns and the flight does go ahead, you are not entitled to your money back.
Cancellations and disruption to carry on through the summer
Gatwick Airport has capped the number of flight departures during the peak summer season to 825 daily flights in July and 850 in August.
This could lead to the cancellation of as many as 10,000 flights this summer.
German flag carrier Lufthansa is cancelling more than 2,200 flights this summer.
Journalist & wheelchair user Frank Gardener left stranded on plane at Gatwick
BBC journalist and wheelchair user Frank Gardner expressed outrage at being left on a plane after it landed at Gatwick.
The security correspondent was stranded on the aircraft after flying to the West Sussex airport with Iberia Express on Thursday night.
This comes after a passenger with restricted mobility died at Gatwick on June 15.
He fell while going up an escalator after leaving an aircraft without a helper.
Mr Gardner has been left on planes at UK airports several times in recent years.
During the latest incident he posted an image on Twitter from inside the aircraft with no other passengers in sight.
He wrote: "FFS not again! Just back from exhausting week covering Nato summit in Madrid and quelle surprise, I'm still stuck on the plane at Gatwick.
"Iberia crew are gone and a new crew has come onboard.
"Just WHY are UK airports so consistently crap at getting disabled people off planes?"
He added: "It never happens abroad, only in UK."
Once he was able to leave the aircraft, Mr Gardner wrote: "Off the plane now - only a 20-minute delay which is mild - but ground handlers said 'nobody told us there was a disabled passenger onboard'.
Grant Shapps accused of being 'missing in action'
Shadow transport minister Mike Kane has accused Grant Shapps of being "missing in action" when it comes to aviation.
Responding to the Transport Secretary's 22-point plan, Mr Kane told the Commons: "He is missing in action when it comes to aviation. Now, he has mentioned the chaos between Easter and the Jubilee weekend. He did not hold one meeting with aviation bosses during that time.
"Now EasyJet have announced among others that they could cancel 10,000 flights in the next three months.
"He needs to step up to the plate, he needs to go to the Prime Minister, he needs to knock on the door, and he needs to clean up the mess."
BA must reverse 10% pay cut to tackle airport delays
British Airways must reverse its 10% pay cut for workers to tackle airport delays, a former trade union boss has insisted.
Yesterday it was announced that 150 Heathrow-based cabin crew employed by CAE Crewing Service had secured an 18% pay rise, reversing its pandemic cut and even improving on its pre-pandemic rate.
Labour peer Lord Woodley, former joint-general secretary of Unite, told the House of Lords that BA must follow suit if staff shortages are to be addressed.
He said: "The recent airport delays are undoubtedly as a direct result of the opportunism employed by BA slashing jobs, pay and conditions during the pandemic.
"And now, unfortunately, we can all see that the chickens are indeed coming home to roost, with many airlines too slow to rehire and (restore) wages that were stolen from staff under the cover of Covid.
"However, I am pleased to tell the House that thanks to my union Unite members, members working for CAE cabin crew have now secured an 18% pay rise, yes an 18% pay rise and a £1,200 summer bonus.
"Does the minister agree that BA should follow suit and reverse its 10% pandemic cut for everyone, not just for management, as is currently the case?"
Groom ‘furious’ at BA after case containing outift not put on flight
A “furious” groom has hit out at British Airways after the suitcase containing his wedding outfit was not loaded on to his flight from Heathrow to Italy.
Farhad Ehtesham, 32, from Guildford, Surrey, faces a race against time to be reunited with his baggage before tying the knot in Tuscany on Saturday.
The business development manager told the PA news agency the airline has failed to respond to his messages.
He and his bride-to-be, Rachel, flew from Heathrow’s Terminal 5 to Rome’s Fiumicino airport on Wednesday night.
They carried her dress as hand luggage but checked in a suitcase containing his wedding outfit, which consists of a green jacket with cream linen trousers and a gold-coloured tie.
It also has other crucial items such as presents and decorations, plus clothes for their honeymoon.
Mr Ehtesham said: “The moment we landed, we got an email saying ‘Your luggage is not there, please contact us’.
“That’s when panic starts setting in. You might think for clothes you can just buy others and try to claim through insurance, but it’s not that simple. I can’t replace a wedding outfit that was planned nine months ahead. It’s just unbelievable.”
Will I get my money back if I cancel my flight?
If a refund is due, the company says it will refund the card the booking was made under.
This should arrive in three to four days, but can take 28 days. You are advised to contact easyJet if it takes longer and you have 12 months to request a refund.
If you do not fly for any reason, you are entitled to money back from government flight taxes.
From the UK, these are £13 per flight for over-16s on all routes - except for Egypt, Jordan and Israel which is £80.
European labour strife & staff shortages disrupt summer travel
Growing labour strife in Europe is driving expectations of further travel headaches during the busy summer season.
Airports and airlines are clamouring to find more workers, minimize cancelled flights and reduce delays for passengers.
Airport managers in Europe and Canada are struggling to quickly recruit and process new hires, even as the rebound in air travel from the pandemic-induced slump leads to cancelled flights and hours-long lines.
German flag carrier Lufthansa and its subsidiary Eurowings said they were scrapping over 1,000 flights in July, or 5% of their planned weekend capacity.
Explained: Why wouldn’t I get my money back?
The airline doesn’t have to give you a refund if the flight was cancelled due to reasons beyond their control, such as extreme weather.
They’ll usually say this is because it is down to an “extraordinary circumstance” but it can be a tetchy subject, and one plenty of customers prefer to contest.
You can try challenging this if you think you should have got your some money back, or at least flown in the first place.
For example, other airlines may have set off at the same time yours was kept back.
Take any complaints to aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
You’re also not going to get any money back if you were forewarned of the cancellation.
If you’re told at least two weeks in advance you should have time to swap your booking without paying a penalty, at least that’s the airline’s thinking as they won’t dish out automatic refunds.
You also won’t be able to claim compensation for flights cancelled but rerouted that get you to your destination no more than two hours later than planned.
You can’t of course get your money back if you do opt for the alternative flight.
Which? says last-minute cancellations are 'unacceptable'
Which? has called the daily flight cancellations for thousands of passengers “totally unacceptable”.
Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, said: “Thousands of EasyJet passengers have had their travel plans thrown into chaos by flight cancellations. Some holidaymakers have been notified on the day they were due to travel, which is totally unacceptable.
“We continue to hear concerning examples of the airline failing to fulfil its legal obligations to passengers and ignoring their rights. If a flight is cancelled within 14 days of departure, passengers could be entitled to compensation and should be offered the option of being rerouted using another carrier if necessary. We know this requirement is not always being met, so the government and Civil Aviation Authority must intervene where airlines are playing fast and loose with the rules.
“The cavalier approach some airlines are currently taking towards their customers is a reminder of why passenger rights must be strengthened. The government should drop plans to slash compensation for delayed and cancelled domestic flights and give the CAA direct fining powers so it can properly hold airlines to account when they flout the law.”
Will I get my money back if I cancel my flight?
If a refund is due, the company says it will refund the card the booking was made under.
This should arrive in three to four days, but can take 28 days. You are advised to contact easyJet if it takes longer and you have 12 months to request a refund.
If you do not fly for any reason, you are entitled to money back from government flight taxes.
From the UK, these are £13 per flight for over-16s on all routes – except for Egypt, Jordan and Israel which is £80.
Labour accuses Grant Shapps of being 'missing in action'
Shadow transport minister Mike Kane has accused Grant Shapps of being "missing in action" when it comes to aviation.
Responding to the Transport Secretary's 22-point plan, Mr Kane told the Commons: "He is missing in action when it comes to aviation. Now, he has mentioned the chaos between Easter and the Jubilee weekend. He did not hold one meeting with aviation bosses during that time.
"Now EasyJet have announced among others that they could cancel 10,000 flights in the next three months.
"He needs to step up to the plate, he needs to go to the Prime Minister, he needs to knock on the door, and he needs to clean up the mess."
Cancellations and disruption to carry on through the summer
Gatwick Airport has capped the number of flight departures during the peak summer season to 825 daily flights in July and 850 in August.
This could lead to the cancellation of as many as 10,000 flights this summer.
German flag carrier Lufthansa is cancelling more than 2,200 flights this summer.
Ryanair spokesperson say strike action 'poorly supported'
A spokesperson from airline Ryanair told the Sun Online that they still expect to operate a full schedule this weekend and that the strikes were "poorly supported".
They said: “Ryanair expects to operate a full schedule to/from Spain this weekend (30thJune, 1st July & 2nd July) despite minor and poorly supported labour strikes in Spain.”
Ryanair are not the only airline to be facing walkouts this weekend, with easyJet on-board crew in Spain set for nine days of action in July, starting from this week between July 1 and 3.
The strikes will see three 72-hour stoppages at fortnightly intervals, with hundreds of crew stopping work at easyJet’s bases in Barcelona, Málaga and Palma.
Heathrow statement
A spokesperson for Heathrow airport told Sun Online Travel: “We are expecting higher passenger numbers in today’s morning peak than the airport currently has capacity to serve, and so to keep everyone safe we have asked airlines to remove 30 flights from the morning peak for tomorrow only.
"We will work with airlines to get affected passengers rebooked onto other flights outside of the peak so that as many as possible can get away tomorrow, and we apologise for the impact this has on travel plans.
“We are expecting higher passenger numbers in today’s morning peak than the airport currently has capacity to serve, and so to keep everyone safe we have asked airlines to remove 30 flights from the morning peak for tomorrow only.
"We will work with airlines to get affected passengers rebooked onto other flights outside of the peak so that as many as possible can get away tomorrow, and we apologise for the impact this has on travel plans.
"We are working hard to ensure everyone has a smooth journey through Heathrow this summer, and the most important thing is to make sure that all service providers at the airport have enough resources to meet demand.”
Cancellations and disruption to carry on through the summer
Gatwick Airport has capped the number of flight departures during the peak summer season to 825 daily flights in July and 850 in August.
This could lead to the cancellation of as many as 10,000 flights this summer.
German flag carrier Lufthansa is cancelling more than 2,200 flights this summer.
Huge queues at Heathrow Airport'
STAFF shortages have caused even more queues to form at Heathrow Airport as travel chaos continues this summer.
The airport was forced to cancel flights this morning due to there being "higher passenger numbers than the airport has capacity serve".
Videos and images shared on social media showed the huge lines forming as passengers waited to get through security gates.
One Twitter user claimed the queues for security actually stretched outside the building.
Another commented: "Never seen anything like this. This is part of the security line at Terminal 2. Minimal customer service, people don't know where to go and some are cutting the line."
Delta statement
In a statement to WSB-TV's Channel 2 News, Delta said: "Delta teams continue to safely manage through compounding factors affecting our operation, including higher-than-planned unscheduled absences in some of our work groups.
"Canceling a flight is always our last resort, and we sincerely apologize to our customers."
Meanwhile, the International Air Line Pilots Association said Delta Airline pilots will conduct "informational picketing" across the US on Thursday to "protest protracted contract negotiations" a revealed.
"The pilots last signed a new employment contract in 2016 and are currently flying under work rules and pay rates negotiated over six years ago," the release stated.
According to the association, hundreds of off-duty pilots are set to picket on Thursday at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA), and Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC).
