Heathrow and airlines led by British Airways stand accused of deciding against taking pre-emptive measures to deal with snow that could have prevented chaos at the airport on Friday.
The Financial Times reports that a committee involving carriers and Heathrow Airport Holdings should have agreed flight reductions in advance of the snow because it would have prevented the widespread disruption that unfolded.
The committee agreed last Thursday that the number of flights in and out of the airport should not be cut even though they knew snow was forecast for Friday, according to the newspaper.
BA and Heathrow Airport Holdings yesterday repeated apologies to tens of thousands of passengers who suffered problems because of the snow-induced disruption over the past four days.
Labour’s aviation spokesman Jim Fitzpatrick said: “I think BA needs to offer their passengers an explanation … and, where appropriate, apologies and the offer of compensation.
“People will also expect Heathrow to explain why there were unacceptable delays.”
A runway closure and reduced landings as snow fell on Friday resulted in 37% of flights being cancelled.
Heathrow, BA and other airlines decided to cut the number of flights on Sunday – because more snow was forecast – by 20%. The schedule was reduced by 10% yesterday.
Heathrow Airport Holdings said the committee reached a consensus on Thursday that there was no case for cutting the airport’s schedule on Friday after learning a limited number of flights would be cancelled because of disruption at other airports, the FT reports.
Gatwick chief executive Stewart Wingate said 20% of Heathrow’s flights during December, January and February, should be moved to his airport and Stansted to avoid cancellations because of the weather.
Gatwick said it had suffered no flight cancellations because of snow.