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There are more warnings of more flight cancellations today, with an announcement due from British Airways on plans to further reduce its schedule.
Elsewhere, a probe into travel insurance finds policies don’t pay out over strike action, and opposing weather events cause major issues in Italy and Australia.
Here are the key national headlines concerning travel on Tuesday 5 July.
British Airways to cancel more than 650 flights
British Airways is axing flights for up to 105,000 holidaymakers this month, plans have shown. Slot authorities have been told of more than 650 flight cancellations from Heathrow and Gatwick in order to avoid a repeat of last month’s travel chaos. More than 76,000 seats are being axed from Heathrow and 29,400 from Gatwick. (The Telegraph)
Travel insurance lacks strike cover, says Which?
Almost half of insurance policies don’t protect holidaymakers from cancellations caused by industrial action, consumer group Which? has found. Its analysis of 199 policies from 71 providers found 40% did not offer cover for strike action, with disputes at British Airways and easyJet looming. (Sky News)
Australia on flood alert again
About 50,000 people have been urged to evacuate their homes as floods hit Australia’s largest city for the third time this year. Parts of Sydney have received about eight months of rain in four days. Roads have been cut off, some houses are underwater and thousands left without power. Widespread flooding has killed more than 20 people this year. (BBC News)
Teenager faces huge bill after easyJet bomb threat
A Spanish fighter jet accompanied an easyJet flight to Menorca after a teenager allegedly made a bomb threat on board. Footage shows a F18 warplane flying closely beside an Airbus A319 carrying holidaymakers from Gatwick to Mahon. An 18-year-old Briton has been arrested accused of posting a menacing remark online. (Metro)
Drought emergency in northern Italy
Italy has declared a state of emergency in five northern regions surrounding the Po River amid the worst drought in 70 years. Emilia-Romagna, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Lombardy, Piedmont and Veneto will be given £31 million to tackle the water shortage. (BBC News)
Ryanair steward faces jail for drinking on duty
A Ryanair steward faces prison after a court heard he drank wine and whiskey on the job. Sam Thompson, 26, was arrested on the tarmac after a witness saw him sip Jack Daniels from the trolley before ‘necking’ a mini wine bottle on a flight to Stansted. He was five times over the legal limit for cabin crew, equivalent to around 40% over the drink-driving limit. (Metro)
