News: Airlines Slam BAA over Security Delays
Flights > News > # 880 (14/08/2006)
Britain’s biggest airlines have criticised airport operators BAA following their decision to force the cancellation of scores of flights in the aftermath of Thursday’s terror alert. Airlines have been told to cancel 20% of flights from Heathrow today (August 14) in a bid to ease congestion caused by tightened security, and on Sunday were asked to reduce their services by 30%. The decision affects all carriers with four or more flights a day from Heathrow, which is the world’s busiest international airport.
British Airways (BA) said it was complying with the reduction, but the airline’s chief executive, Willie Walsh, slammed BAA for not being able to cope with such a crisis, adding: "BAA is unable to provide a robust security search process and baggage operation." BA have cancelled 39 short-haul flights out of 202 from Heathrow today, and five of their 76 long-haul flights. Some of BA’s domestic flights from Gatwick would also be affected.
Virgin Atlantic, which only operates long-haul services from Heathrow, said the cuts favoured airlines like BA which could cut less-lucrative short flights and keep most of its long-haul operations running.
A spokeswoman for BAA denied reports that it had threatened to ban those carriers that did not agree to the reduction in flights from Heathrow, adding: "During these unprecedented changes to security BAA Heathrow has asked all airlines to adhere to the flight cancellation policy. We appreciate this is going to involve making some difficult decisions and we ask airlines to work together to ensure the airport community operates well together."
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