Holidaymakers have been warned to expected further disruption as airlines are expected to cancel more flights.
This comes as Ryanair staff around Europe are set to strike for 12 days and the likes of easyJet and British Airways have been cancelling and rescheduling hundreds of flights over the recent months.
Over the weekend, BA left Edinburgh residents 'devastated' after flights to America were cancelled less than 24 hours before they were set the take off.
Now, as the Telegraph reports, airlines using Heathrow are rescheduling their flights and must tell officials by Friday which flights they will axe. Over the last month, some flights between Heathrow and Edinburgh have been cancelled.
READ MORE- Edinburgh family 'devastated' after Disney flights cancelled by BA hours before they left
Ryanair staff are planning to strike July 12-15, July 18-21 and July 25-28 across Spain's major airports. Along with that easyJet staff in Spain will also be striking for nine days after a dispute over pay and working conditions. The strike action will cover July 1-3, July 15-17 and July 29-31. While UK staff have not voted to strike, holidaymakers flying over to Spain from Edinburgh could face disruption due to the industrial action.
Ryanair has said that despite the strikes, it expects "minimal (if any) disruption to its flights operating to/from Spain as a result of cabin crew strikes called by the USO and SITCPLA unions from July 12 to Jul 28".
A spokesperson for Ryanair adds: "Less than one per cent of Ryanair’s flights have been affected in the past month by recent minor and poorly supported cabin crew strikes called by unions who are either not recognised by or who represent tiny numbers of Ryanair crews.
"Air Traffic Control (ATC) and airport staff shortages across Europe, which are beyond Ryanair’s control may however cause some minor disruption and any passengers whose flights are disrupted by ATC staff shortages will be notified of their entitlements by email/SMS."
A spokesperson for British Airways said: “We've apologised to our customers whose flights have been cancelled due to the continuing industry challenges we are facing and have offered them a seat on an alternative flight at the earliest opportunity.
“Customers are also being offered the option to travel with other carriers, use alternative modes of ground transport or accept a full refund. We are extremely sorry for the frustration and inconvenience caused.”
Why are flights being cancelled?
Flights are being cancelled due to a range of reasons. A shortage in staff after the pandemic has put pressure on airlines as they experience a surge of holidaymakers excited to jet off a covid rules are relaxed.
Budget airline easyJet and British Airways have said they are also experiencing staffing issues and easyJet said some flights were impacted by I.T issues. Meanwhile, Irish travel provider Aer Lingus have had to cut flights due to a Covid outbreak, resulting in staff absences.
Europe's largest airline association, Airlines for Europe admit that they expect the issue to continue across the UK and Europe “for a good chunk of the summer season” the Financial Times reports. Staffing issues are expected to continue as there are long waits for new staff to pass background checks and also higher than normal sickness rates due to covid related reasons.
Another reason thought to be impacting airlines is Brexit, which led to a shortage of workers as many Europeans who may have come to the UK for work are no longer able to. Labour Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has urged the UK Government to relax visa rules to deal with the staff shortages at airports, as they did with haulage drivers.
Speaking on BBC 1's Sunday Morning last month, Mr Khan said: “The government should recognise that there are shortages in this occupation, of those who work in aviation.
"What you can do very easily is to make sure those who were in those jobs before, who’ve gone back to their country of origin in the EU, are encouraged to come back."
However, this was heavily denied by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps. Speaking to interviewer Sophie Raworth, he argued: “The answer can’t always be to reach for the lever marked ‘More immigration’.”
“We are seeing the same problems across Europe. If it were only to do with Brexit, then there wouldn’t be a problem at Schiphol (airport in Amsterdam) or elsewhere. So that clearly can’t be true."
What are your rights if your flight is cancelled?
According to Citizen's Advice, you have the legal right to either:
- A full refund - including other flights from the airline that you won’t use in the same booking such as onward or return flights
- A replacement flight to get you to your destination.
Travellers are also entitled to compensation if their flight is delayed. You can read more about that here.
Citizens Advice also points out that if your flight is delayed over five hours, then you don't have to take it and you're entitled to a refund.
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