Heathrow today ordered a10% of flights to be cancelled to solve a baggage pile-up as the air travel crisis that has blighted the UK this year continued unabated.
Management at the airport said the baggage problem at Terminals 2 and 3 had forced it to ask airlines to ‘consolidate their schedules’
“This will enable us to minimise ongoing impact," it said, adding it apologised unreservedly for the disruption passengers have faced.
The announcement came as easyJet warned that disruptions to its flight schedule would last well into the summer and beyond (read more)
In an unscheduled trading update this morning, the airline said it will cancel a further 7% of its 160,000 flights between July and September.
Gatwick Airport meanwhile said it would also cut the number of flights during the peak summer season because of staff shortages.
Tens of thousands of passengers have already been impacted by cancellations and delays, with many left stranded overseas during the half-term holidays.
Airlines today again blamed government policies during the Covid-19 pandemic for the problems.
Slamming "shambolic" handling of the crisis, former British Airways CEO Willie Walsh, now director-general of the International Air Transport Association, said: "The cost of government mismanagement was substantial. It devastated economies, disrupted supply chains and destroyed jobs."
Qatar Airlines chief executive Akbar Al Baker, meanwhile told reporters “People got into a bad habit of working from home".
"They feel they don't need to go to an industry that really needs hands-on people," Reuters reported.
Shares in British Airways owner IAG bounced 6.8% to 120.2p after steady falls recently.
Rail strike to add to misery
Meanwhile, the largest rail strike in 30 years will begin tomorrow in England, Scotland and Wales, according to the RMT union after last-minute talks to avert action broke down
The strikes, which will be on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, were sparked by rail staff who were not satisfied with their stagnating pay and potential job losses. They will also take place across the London Underground on Tuesday.
Transport for London warned disruption will continue on non-strike days with reduced staff, with travellers advised to only travel if absolutely necessary.