Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
WE WILL GET YOU TO THE BEACH...
Travel chiefs promise end to air chaos
TRAVEL bosses have spoken out to reassure millions of holiday-makers that they will have hassle-free getaways for the rest of the summer.
It comes as strikes by Ryanair staff in Spain caused chaos at Stansted airport yesterday, and other workers around Europe gear up for industrial action.
Airline and airport chiefs said they are doing all they can to ensure that there will be no more last-minute cancellations, delays and queues.
With schools in Scotland already off for the summer and England and Wales set to follow in three weeks, 20 million people are planning to fly abroad over the next three months.
TUI boss Andrew Flintham said he could “personally assure” fliers they would get to where they wanted to go.
He said: “We’re confident we have the staff we need to get customers away on their well-deserved holidays this
summer and in the rare event that they face any disruption we will give them as much notice and support as possible.
“We continue to take hundreds of thousands away each week and we look forward to helping our customers make more wonderful holiday memories.”
Easyjet, which, like Ryanair, is facing strikes by staff across Europe, said that its “highest priority” is delivering a “safe, reliable operation”.
A spokesman added: “The vast majority of our customers continue to fly with us as planned, as we operate up to 1,700 flights
CONFIDENT carrying up to 250,000 customers each day. We continue to explore all possible options to further enhance the support we provide.”
BA, which faces summer strike action by 700 Heathrow check-in staff and ground crew, stated: “We’re focused on three priorities: our customers; supporting our biggest recruitment drive, and increasing operational resilience.” Heathrow now has the same number of security staff as in 2019 before the pandemic, and has reopened Terminal 4 to serve more than 30 airlines. BA has also cut 10% of flights from its summer schedule at Heathrow. An airport spokesman said: “Our operating plan is working and the vast majority of passengers have had good, predictable journeys.
“For the small number who experienced pinch points or disruption at Heathrow, we apologise.”
Flights from Gatwick have been capped because of ground staff shortages. An airport spokesman said: “We are confident this measure will stop the last-minute cancellations and will mean airlines will fly more realistic and achievable flying schedules.”
Online travel firm Expedia has found searches for flights, hotels and holiday homes significantly up on last summer, with breaks in Turkey being snapped up because of favourable exchange rates.