British Airways suspend operations as pilots walk out
London: 4000 pilots of British Airways have walked out, canceling 1700 flights due to low increment in salaries. It is expected to hit 145,000 passenger.
Tens of thousands of passengers have been informed not to go to airports, as the airline canceled some 1,700 flights due to the disruption.
Pilots association, BALPA has told CNN that cost-cutting measures have eroded the confidence in the airline. British Airways has reported a 9% increase in the profits, but the pilots are yet to receive their fair share, commented by the spokesperson of the Union.
BA’s CEO Alex Cruz says the firm has not cut costs, adding that the airline has never received so much investment. On the latest strikes, the firm apologised and added: “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 percent our flights.”
The action is expected to cost the airline an estimated $49 million a day. As the carrier receives 145000 passengers every day, as per their website.
The airline had celebrated its 100th anniversary on August 25, but it is facing mounting customer dissatisfaction over cuts to its onboard service, IT mishaps and a $225 million fine after hackers stole customers details.
Members of the pilots union voted 93% in favor of a strike in July. BALPA said last week that it would be willing to call the strike off if British Airways returned to the negotiating table.
