Aurigny waives change charge for bookings hit by BA strike
Wednesday 16th December 2009, 2:29PM GMT.
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.’
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Once again, Aurigny showing their sensitive side, lets see if slybe follow suit…
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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.
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Well done! Taking the lead for a change and for the betterment of travellers.
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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….
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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.
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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!!!
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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/
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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!
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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.
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