The record number of cancellations was canceled by one of the largest airlines in the world – British Airways. In one day, 10,300 flights departing from July to the end of October were canceled at once, which is a real shock for tourists. As stated by the International Airline Group (IAG), which includes British Airways, 13% of all flights, mostly short-haul, were canceled. As a result, the state of tourists can be described as “shock and panic”, and airline employees continue to threaten strikes.
In a statement published by IAG, the cancellations were commented on as follows – the entire aviation sector is facing major problems. It also stated that flexibility has been ordered to give passengers confidence in their journeys. The cancellations are primarily because the airline industry is suffering from staff shortages after massive layoffs during the Covid-19 pandemic.
As commented in the mass media, the situation will probably destroy the summer plans for hundreds of Britons. Especially considering that alternative carriers follow the same policy. Yes, EasyJet, another airline worst hit by the chaos across Europe, has also canceled 10,000 of its flights. The number of flights canceled by these two airlines in the UK alone exceeded 20,000.
The carrier is also trying to reassure travelers that the vast majority of customers will not be affected, with most customers being rebooked within 24 hours. “We will notify affected customers directly in the coming days with information about their alternative flight or the possibility of rebooking or receiving a refund,” they added. But tourists are not happy with the situation, to put it mildly.
The staff, judging by the publications in the media, is also on the edge. At British Airways, workers are already going to vote for a strike. Airports have similar problems: as one airport employee told the New York Times: “We are woefully understaffed. And we can no longer make ends meet. Workers are demanding more.”