Airline Told Passengers Flights Would Be Cancelled Outside Planned BALPA Strike Dates

The U.K Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) says it is "seeking an explanation" from British Airways over notifications of flight cancellations prior to planned strikes by BALPA pilots in September.

The strikes are planned for September 9 and 10, as well as September 27. But Buying Business Travel reports that some passengers on flights outside those dates were told that their flights had been cancelled.

According to the report, passengers received two emails last weekend. One said their flights had been cancelled and they should rebook or ask for refunds. A subsequent email indicated that their flights would operate as scheduled.

In a statement, the CAA said that it has been in contact with the airline to determine what has happened and are seeking an explanation to confirm how it complied with its re-routing obligations to consumers.

“Passengers who have seen their flights cancelled should be offered the choice of reimbursement for cancelled flights, alternate travel arrangements under comparable conditions at the earliest opportunity which includes flights on other airlines, or a new flight at a later date at the passenger's convenience. We also expect airlines to proactively provide passengers with information about their rights when flights are cancelled.”

The CAA said it understands that the airline is dealing with each case on an individual basis and encourage passengers to speak to them directly. "Having been informed in error by BA that their flight was cancelled, those consumers that took action should not be left out of pocket, and any reasonable costs of re-booked flights should be claimed from the airline."

(Source: CAA statement and as cited)

FMI: Source report
www.caa.co.uk