British Airways says it has cancelled ‘almost 100%’ of flights today and told affected passengers not to call its customer contact centres without first checking the information on its website.
Despite customer teams ‘working tirelessly’ and extra staff being drafted in, the airline says its contact centres are ‘extremely busy’ and told customers to check the online FAQs relating to the strike before they get in touch.
Anyone who has booked through the trade is being advised to contact their agent.
Pilots who are members of BALPA began a 48-hour walkout on Monday morning and plan further action on September 27.
In a tweet, BA said: “We apologise for the significant impact industrial action will have. If your flight is cancelled, please don’t go to the airport.”
Passengers continue to claim they’re out of pocket or have not been offered suitable alternative arrangements.
BA chief executive Alex Cruz told Radio 4’s Today programme the airline is committed to reaching a solution.
“We urge the union to please sit down with us as quickly as we can so that we can reach an agreement,” he said.
The travel chaos comes after pilots rejected BA’s offered pay rise of 11.5%.
BA said in a statement: “We understand the frustration and disruption BALPA’s strike action has caused our customers. After many months of trying to resolve the pay dispute, we are extremely sorry that it has come to this.
“We remain ready and willing to return to talks with BALPA.
“Unfortunately, with no detail from BALPA on which pilots would strike, we had no way of predicting how many would come to work or which aircraft they are qualified to fly, so we had no option but to cancel nearly 100% of our flights.”
BALPA estimates the strikes could cost BA £40million a day.
BA said customers with bookings on or around September 27 will be contacted in the next few weeks if their flight is impacted.