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STRIKES, DELAYS AND CANCELLATIONS Last year was a nightmare for people travelling with many of the UK’s transport providers, and problems can be expected to continue in 2017. Southern Rail has seen endless strikes, cancellations and overcrowding, while Gatwick Express and London Underground passengers have also been affected by industrial action. Since December 23, Virgin Atlantic’s pilots have been refusing to work more than their rostered hours and, last month, British Airways staff went on strike for 48 hours.

The Europeans are no better – French air traffic control has gone on strike more than a dozen times in the past year. In November, a Lufthansa pilot walkout disrupted 525,000 passengers, while earlier in the year, the employees of numerous German airports refused to operate. These days, business travellers need to be armed with back-up plans, appropriate insurance and knowledge of how to claim compensation.