Virgin Atlantic cabin crew voted
today in favour of strike action in January only a day before the
results of a strike vote by 5,000 UK airport staff, which could result in
flight delays and cancellations from December 27.
About a third of Virgin Atlantic's cabin crew will participate in two 48-hour
strikes on January 9-10 and January 16-17.
The airline has announced that it will cancel 12 flights as a result of the
action. The flights are between London and New York, Chicago, Nairobi and
Boston (see below for a full list).
Virgin has advised customers who are affected by the cancellations that they
can receive a full refund, regardless of ticket restrictions. Alternatively
they can rebook flights for another date or route, subject to availability,
in the same ticket class.
BAA, the UK airports operator, will learn tomorrow whether members of the
union Unite, which represents 5,000 UK airport staff, have voted for a
strike that would result in flight delays and cancellations from December
27.
If the strike goes ahead it will affect Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Glasgow,
Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Southampton.
If strike action goes ahead it will mean a second year of air travel delays
over Christmas.
In 2006 thick fog across the UK led to more
than 100 flight cancellations and extensive delays.
Congestion will aggravate the woes of festive-season travellers.
If you are one of 3.5 million Britons heading abroad this Christmas, be
warned: December 22 will be the busiest day at UK airports.
Most Britons travelling over Christmas are heading for winter sun
destinations, according from the Association of British Travel Agents
(Abta), with the Canary islands, Egypt and Goa the most popular
destinations.
Other hotspots include Dubai and ski resorts in France, Austria and Italy,
following record
snow falls.
BAA estimates that about 2.7 million people will use its airports this
Christmas, with Heathrow the busiest, then Gatwick and Stansted.
The remaining travellers will be heading abroad by car and train, with 150,000
people travelling by Eurostar.
After December 22, the next busiest day for air travel will be December 30,
but rail travellers will fare no better.
Thousands of rail passengers using the West Coast Main Line between Christmas
and New Year’s Day face
long delays and replacement bus services after Network Rail announced it
had miscalculated how long it would take to complete engineering works.
Cancelled Virgin flights
January 9: one outbound flight to New York (JFK), one return flight to Chicago
and a return flight to Boston will be cancelled.
January 10: one return flight to New York (JFK), one return flight to Chicago
and a return flight to Boston will be cancelled.
January 16: one outbound flight to New York (JFK), one return flight to
Chicago and a return flight to Nairobi will be cancelled.
January 17: one return flight to New York, one return flight to Chicago and
one return flight to Nairobi will be cancelled.
January 11 and 18: one New York inbound flight will be cancelled on both days
A trying time for Sir Richard's Virgin Empire. I think he should accept that as his cabin crew are some of the most poorly paid in the industry (he's been getting away with this for years!) that he might as well give them a little fairer deal than is currently on the table. Otherwise it seems the Virgin name will be sullied amongst the travelling public.
Geoff, Belfast, UK
I am quite amazed that it has taken Virgin cabin crew until now to demand a living wage. They are worked extremely hard for a pittance of a salary - barely sufficient for a bedsit in Crawley. They undertake hardwork, often overnight in an oxygen depleted environment. They deserve far more.
Arnold Ward, Weybridge, Surrey, UK
To Phil C,
Ill tell you what, if you can take it upon yourself to send a strongly worded email to richard branson and tell him to give his staff (which includes myself) more money then plans will not be affected. Thanks.
Patrick, Croydon,
strikes when everyone is on holiday wanting to take a little R+R? Must be Christmas! I'm disappointed the French haven't decided to ruin European travel too. They can normally be relied upon.
I hope those affected remember those that have ruined their Christmas plans when it comes to booking Summer breaks!
Phil C, London, UK