The upheaval comes in response to last month’s announcement that an amnesty would allow airlines to cancel flights while retaining take-off and landing slots next year. Airlines buy slots to operate their routes, but can lose them to competitors if they default on their obligations to the airport and passengers by failing to fly. It is hoped that freer adjustment of schedules will allow airlines to operate only the flights they can fully staff, ending reports of passengers arriving at the airport to find their flights have been canceled at the last minute. British Airways flights from Heathrow are likely to have the highest number of cancellations, according to a report. The Daily Telegraph reported that the airline planned to carry 1.8 million passengers on more than 9,000 flights from Heathrow in July alone. A British Airways spokesman told PA news agency that the amnesty and subsequent cancellations will help us provide the certainty our customers deserve by making it easier to consolidate some of our quieter daily flights into multi-frequency destinations much sooner. They said the airline “welcomes these new measures”, adding: “The easing of slots allows airlines to temporarily reduce their routes but keep their seats for next year to maintain networks and provide consumers certainty and consistency. Read more: What are my rights if strikes hit the summer holidays at Heathrow? Airlines and airports cannot say when the threat to the summer holidays will end “Allocating slots in line with the (World Airport Slots Guide system) means airlines can offer the consistent service and efficient connections that consumers are looking for and protect jobs and generate growth in the UK.” Staffing shortages in ground handling, airports and flight crew have presented major challenges as the aviation industry struggles to transition into the peak season after two years of disruption related to the coronavirus pandemic. Thousands of flights have been canceled on various airlines in recent weeks as capacity falls short of demand – a problem also seen across Europe. Follow The Daily Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker On Thursday, for example, Heathrow asked airlines to remove 30 flights from the morning peak schedule, saying it expected “a greater number of passengers than the airport currently has the capacity to handle”. Many passengers have also had delayed or lost luggage. There is also the looming threat of industrial action, with hundreds of Heathrow-based check-in staff and ground handling agents voting last month for industrial action over pay.
