BA keeps passengers moving on second day of strike

25 May 2010

1

Industrial action hit flag carrier British Airways for the second day running with management claiming it had "got off to a very good start" in maintaining operations and the union Unite claiming the strike was "well supported" by cabin crew.

BA management said enough staff had reported to work to allow it to run atleast half of short-haul flights and 60 per cent of long-haul flights from Heathrow. Union bosses countered with threats that they expected greater disruptions in flight operations as the week progressed.

Even as union bosses urged BA boss Willie Walsh to return to the negotiating table, the carrier painted the slogan "keep the flag flying" on a number of its planes at Heathrow and made a determined bid to run as many services as possible.

BA claimed it managed to fly a total of 60,000 passengers on Monday or 70 per cent of its normal workload at this time of the year. This was at par with the percentage of services it said it would strive to maintain during the course of the strike.

The carrier said Gatwick and London City airport services were unaffected but did not supply details about Heathrow.

For the record BA reiterated its availability for further talks with the union.

Union sources estimate that strike action so far this year may have cost BA at least £63 million, based on a loss of £7 million a day over the nine days of industrial action.

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