BRITISH Airways has taken the majority of flights over the
August Bank Holiday weekend off sale in a move that could cost the
airline millions.
The carrier is in last gap talks with the unions this morning in
a bid to avert strikes but has taken flights on August 27, 28, 29
and some flights on August 30 off sale as a precautionary
measure.
BA insists the majority of seats have already been sold for the
weekend so the move won’t hit it financially. However, it will miss
any last minute bookings for the weekend.
The carrier has also introduced a rebooking facility to allow
passengers booked for flights up to September 4 the chance to
change the date of flying.
The deadline suggests BA is expecting strikes to have a
long-lasting effect after the day they will be taken on.
In a message to staff, chief executive Rod Eddington said
low-cost carriers could “run us out of town”, if costs can’t be
taken out the business.
He also said absenteeism is costing the airline £60 million
a year.