2yr perfect storm led to terminal turbulence
PEOPLE flying abroad for summer seem to be hitting more turbulence in the terminals. So what’s going on?
A perfect storm has followed two years of travel chaos caused by Covid.
Is all this anybody’s fault? Yes and no. Was it avoidable? Yes and no.
The Government treated the travel industry shamefully in the pandemic, with airport and airline staff axed in their tens of thousands.
New airport workers need security clearance and vetting takes time.
Many who left the industry found new jobs with better pay and hours.
UK airlines are now contractually obliged to fill 70% of their take-off and landing slots or risk losing them.
Consequently, they have no choice but to try to operate schedules at these levels, despite staffing pressure.
So when Transport Secretary Grant Shapps this month accused carriers and tour operators of overselling flights, he appeared to be ignoring his department’s rule book on how many flights it stipulates they must operate.
Yet it was blindingly obvious there would be a stampede for terminals once Covid restrictions were lifted.
And it does look like the aviation industry was ill-prepared for that.
Despite the cancellations, millions are still managing to fly off, though an awful lot of patience may be required.
Good luck – and please be patient with air staff, this mess is not their fault and they are doing their best.
(Alternatively, I hear Scotland is nice this time of year. Check out our travel section starting on Page 47)