BA flight cancellations approach 30,000 as UK government amnesty looms

British Airways (BA) has joined the growing list of carriers who have had to cancel flights in their thousands as it has also failed to cope with the resume in demand for air travel. The latest round of cancellations from BA is approximately 10,500 in number, all of which is understood are short-haul flights, ensuring that long-haul flights remain relatively unaffected by staff shortages, while also enabling the carrier to also concentrate on holiday flights.

This latest flurry of flight cancellations has been prompted by the UK governments amnesty over the ‘use them or lose them' airport slots policy that had been in place. Carriers have been anxious not to cancel flights for fear that they would lose their highly prized take-off and landing slots. So, in an attempt to stop the last-minute cancellation of flights and eliminate the disruption and disappointment caused by such actions, this Friday the government is putting this slots policy on hold for the summer season, providing carriers stop last minute cancellations and instead cancel flights well in advance so passengers can make alternative arrangements.

Unsurprisingly, Ryanair has complained about the government's policy change regarding airport slots, saying that the problems were all of the carriers' making. “We do not support this latest slot waiver regulation from the UK government, which has been handed out for the benefit of airlines who failed to adequately prepare for the return of air travel post Covid,” the statement said. “These slot waivers will lead to fewer flights and reduced connectivity, which will ultimately harm competition and lead to higher fares for hard-pressed UK consumers,” it said. Ryanair has announced it intends to offer a full flight schedule this summer, with no disruptions.

BA said the new flexibility offered by the amnesty meant it could “further reduce our schedule and consolidate some of our quieter services so that we can protect as many of our holiday flights as possible,” adding that “While most of our flights are unaffected and the majority of customers will get away as planned, we don't underestimate the impact this will have and we're doing everything we can to get their travel plans back on track.”