A POST-MORTEM on the Balearic bus strike has exposed the
short-falls of operators that either failed to prepare sufficiently or refused
to take the threat seriously, according to sources within the industry.
The strike–on June 29, 30 and July 1–paralysed transfers
between airports and resorts in Majorca, Minorca and Ibiza, leaving thousands
of frustrated holidaymakers stranded in both Britain and Spain. But operators
casting an eye over their contingency plans admitted they failed clients.
“It was chaotic,” said one senior source. “The issue was
compounded by the fact we were selling flights to each other and couldn’t keep
track of customers. We didn’t represent ourselves well as an industry.”
But First Choice Holidays and Flights managing director Paul
Evans said efforts made to provide emergency food, blankets and transport were
ignored by the media.