Unite union assistant general secretary Len McCleskey speaks to the media after a meeting at Sandown Racecourse, Esher, Surrey, at which it was announced that British Airways cabin crew had voted overwhelmingly in favour of a 12-day strike over Christmas. (PA picture, 0889725)
The local airline has responded to the announcement on Monday that BA cabin staff would strike between 22 December and 2 January.
Aurigny commercial director Malcolm Coupar said it would waive its usual change-of-booking fees for customers who needed to swap their flights to connect with changed British Airways flights.
‘This is to cover flights originally booked for travel during the period 19 December through to 10 January,’ he said.
‘Customers wishing to use this facility should check the availability of Aurigny flights through our website to ensure appropriate flights exist, then contact us through the call centre on 822886 to make the changes to their bookings.
‘Unfortunately, we are not able to make this change facility available through our website.’
He said new Aurigny flights could be booked for any time in the next 10 months.
‘Fare upgrades will apply if the originally-paid fares are not available on the replacement flights.’
BA cabin staff said they would strike after a row over cost-cutting changes to working conditions, perks and manning levels.
If the industrial action goes ahead nearly a million passengers’ Christmas plans could be ruined.
Uniglobe Island Travel managing director Fred Eulenkamp said the airline’s reputation would be damaged and the staff could potentially lose their jobs.
‘BA is losing money and they need to do something to sort this out,’ he said. ‘Both sides need to look to the fact that they don’t want BA to go under and there will be fewer jobs.’
Mr Eulenkamp said it was not yet certain that the strikes would go ahead.
‘The situation is changing and we are monitoring it,’ he said.
‘The reason they are doing it at this time is to have maximum impact. Whether they will sort it out prior to the 22nd, we don’t know.’
BA has so far said it would refund passengers and allow them to change flights free of charge.
A spokesman for Flybe said it would also do its best if the strikes went ahead.
‘Flybe sympathises with the challenges that BA and all airlines face in modernising its working practices. Flybe has a track record of being able to respond quickly to short-term changes in the market caused by unexpected events.
‘We did so after the fire in the Channel Tunnel and when Lufthansa suffered industrial action, so we will look to increase our services where necessary to assist BA and their passengers to make sure everyone gets to travel during the festive season and beyond.’
Blue Islands managing director Paul Sabin said: ‘Blue Islands does not have any formal agreements with BA and as such we are unaware of passengers’ onward travel arrangements.
‘However, with the Blue Islands’ flexible and transparent pricing policy, any of our passengers can alter their date and time of travel without incurring any change fees.’
n BA is today going to court to try to stop the strike from going ahead.
World News Page 22
Article posted on 16th December, 2009 - 2.29pm
13 Article Comments
Once again, Aurigny showing their sensitive side, lets see if slybe follow suit…
Report abuse
Flybe have increased the number of flights on some of the routes they “share” with BA. BA have a 15% stake in Flybe so it will be interesting to see what they do regarding booking changes and subsequent charges.
The support for Flybe seems to be dwindling, which is not helped by their preference for “importing” staff rather that trying to find local talent.
Report abuse
Well done! Taking the lead for a change and for the betterment of travellers.
Report abuse
I’m a flybe pilot and i am local (from Le Genats Originally Eh?) and i can tell you that the vast majority of my colleagues based here in Guernsey are from the Island. Which is more than can be said for Aurigny….
Report abuse
I don’t quite understand the relevance of Captain Oveur’s comment. The fact i (and probably the majority of others)dont like flybe is nothing to do with what the nationallity of the pilot. Its the charges, bad customer service etc.
As long as the pilot can fly me to where i want to go and isn’t drunk, i couldnt care less if he/she was from Guernsey or Guadeloupe.
Report abuse
When is one of the airlines considering flying direct to Amsterdam a couple of times a week.
Much easier and cleaner airport to transfer to destinations, even saving the hassle of going on gatwick-heathrow transfer!!!!! hope Blue Islands shows the guts again!!!
Report abuse
All you FlyBe dislikers – take heed – they make a profit. Use more appropriate aircraft for the island and don’t cost the taxpayer a penny.
A nice PR move by Aurigny. Which is costing me money. Thanks very much.
And here here Dash Trash.
Report abuse
Frequent visitor – Amsterdam has been tried before. If I recall Aurigny used to have a direct route about 10 years ago but it didn’t last too long.
Gilthead – although some people have a reasonable argument against Flybe (e.g. ben) it seems to me that many have a blinkered view in favour of Aurigny simply because their “our” airline. IMO both airlines have pros and cons – it’s up to the consumer to decide which is best for them. Personally I choose Flybe every time but that’s just my consumer opinion.
Incidentally, now that the UK courts have scuppered the strike, Aurigny’s PR department must be laughing!
Report abuse
I agree that Aurigny a) costs us money and b) has a lot of “non-Guerns” as flight crew – more than Flybe. Blue Islands are similar but I believe this was due, originally, to lack of Jetstream experience not being on many “Locals” log books.
Ben my comment regarding “imported” staff was for me personally another reason (on top of the charges etc) to not particularly like Flybe. As a “local” Commercial pilot myself (albeit a lonely single crew) I would much prefer to see local guys given a shot when they can. From my understanding with my ear to ground from our hangar there are a handful of UK pilots coming over who have taken preference over local people who could have done the job. Flybe make a point of saying on their website how they support “local” area talent etc, I quote “We are particularly keen to cultivate home grown employees…”.
Dash Trash, you are exactly the sort of person who should be flying the Q400 out of Guernsey, and you back up my opinion that locals, as long as they meet the minimum requirements should be first in the queue rather than getting housing licences for non-locals. You may be in a better position than I to confirm that you are expecting 4 or 5 FO’s from the UK in the coming weeks/months? This is what I have heard on the “apron jungle drums” in the last week or so.
I apologise for the huge thread drift.
Report abuse
Gilthead. Do Flybe make a profit on the Guernsey routes? It would be interesting to see the breakdown of profitibilty by route. I’m sure there must be some cross – subsidisation by Flybe of lean routes by profitable routes.
Report abuse
Actually Mike, Flybe get a helping hand from the States – Blue Islands received £800,000 earlier this year and gave it to charity. I’ve no idea what Flybe got. They are however fully entitled to it as it’s a States decision.
http://www.thisisguernsey.com/2009/02/09/800k-subsidy-is-madness-says-blue-islands-chairman/
Report abuse
Capt Oveur if you read the article it actually says “But Mr Coates told the States he disagreed with the £800,000 system and did not want his airline to take part.” It doesn’t say Blue Islands receieved £800,000! Blue Island only gave their share to charity!
Report abuse
Right you are Mike, my apologise for “skimming the article”. It’s still a fair wedge though and one that could help out on any “lean” routes as you so eloquently put it.
If I was a betting man though, I would have thought that over the year none of the Guernsey – UK routes are loss making.
Report abuse