BA cancels 1,300 flights due to strike

London: British Airways yesterday cancelled 1,300 flights at Heathrow and Gatwick next Tuesday and Wednesday because of a planned strike.

The stoppage by 11,000 cabin crew will ground 950 services to and from Heathrow and 350 at Gatwick. The majority are shorthaul domestic flights and to Europe but about 150 are on long-haul routes.

BA warned of more cancellations on days either side of the strike dates because crew and aircraft will be out of place. Winter holidays and planned business trips are in ruins.

More than 150,000 travellers are booked to fly BA on the two days. The company ordered the shutdown after emergency talks between BA and the Transport-General Workers' Union broke down. Heathrow will be turned into an aircraft "car park" causing serious disruption for passengers using other airlines.