British Airways will “merge” a number of short-haul flights from Heathrow during a second wave of industrial action by cabin crew.
Travel information on the airline’s website stated yesterday (January 16) that as a result of the walkout involving Mixed Fleet staff, cancellations would amount to “only 1% of our total scheduled flights across the three days.”
The second strike this month will run from Thursday to Saturday, 19-21 January in an ongoing row over pay involving members of the Unite union.
BA pledged to operate all its long-haul services to and from Heathrow along with flights from Gatwick, London City airport and Stansted.
“All British Airways customers will be able to fly to their destinations on Thursday 19, Friday 20 and Saturday 21 January despite proposed industrial action by Unite,” BA said.
“We will merge a small number of our short-haul services at Heathrow, resulting in the cancellation of only one per cent of our total scheduled flights across the three days,” the airline said.
“Customers affected will be able to fly slightly earlier or slightly later.
Unite has claimed since the start of the first strike last week, 800 Mixed Fleet cabin crew workers had joined its ranks - taking membership to over 2,900.
Oliver Richardson, Unite national officer said: "British Airways should be under no illusion about our members’ determination to secure a settlement that addresses their concerns over poverty pay.
"We would urge British Airways to avoid the inconvenience and disruption of industrial action by meaningfully addressing levels of poverty pay which are causing financial worry and distress to Mixed Fleet cabin crew."