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Eurofurence Community => General Discussion => Topic started by: Fairlight on 13.08.2010, 14:00:18

Title: Possible airport strikes in the UK
Post by: Fairlight on 13.08.2010, 14:00:18
Attention all furs travelling from or through the UK.

There may be a strike imminent that would affect the following airports:

Heathrow, Stansted, Southampton, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen

The strikes could kick in in the week following the 23rd of August, but they also might target the bank holiday weekend following the 28th.

More info:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-10954851

Best regards,
 Fairlight!
Title: Re: Possible airport strikes in the UK
Post by: Twll on 13.08.2010, 23:13:22
Do be aware that if there are strikes, the rest of the available airports in the UK will not be able to cope with the displaced passengers and flights. Make sure you have travel insurance and/or a backup plan!
Title: Re: Possible airport strikes in the UK
Post by: Kitt Foxx on 14.08.2010, 07:32:22
We are due to arrive at LHR Aug 31st on United, then hop the next day to Germany on another carrier.  Not sure what to do about this since this is our first trip to Europe...what contingency plans are available?
Title: Re: Possible airport strikes in the UK
Post by: JBadger on 14.08.2010, 07:49:38
We are due to arrive at LHR Aug 31st on United, then hop the next day to Germany on another carrier.  Not sure what to do about this since this is our first trip to Europe...what contingency plans are available?

If the flight to LHR gets canceled you can have them reroute you though another airport, but it might be stand by.
You could call the airline and ask?
Title: Re: Possible airport strikes in the UK
Post by: cosmo on 14.08.2010, 13:21:44
Check with your airline. But what tends to happen is that long haul flights are given priority over short haul when mass diversions take place. this should mean that you're ok for the United flight, but there is a chance that the flight to Germany could be affected. Chances are that if your connecting flight is cancelled you'll be offered a different flight or they do sometimes offer other means of transport, such as Eurostar to France/Belgium and connecting train/flight from one of those countries. If there is a delay, and the second flight is with an EU based carrier you are entitled to compensation from that airline for reasonable expenses incurred by you (food, accommodation etc) under EU regulation [EC]261/2004 (though you must keep all receipts and it does involve a lot of paperwork, and the airlines aren't particularly happy about it). No matter what happens, though, the EU airlines do have a legal obligation to get you to your destination or as close as possible so either way you should make it.
Title: Re: Possible airport strikes in the UK
Post by: Kitt Foxx on 14.08.2010, 16:46:50
Thanks for the info, Cosmo.  United told me this morning that it's too early to say what will happen until (if) a strike actually occurs.  We will have to wait and see what unfolds and go with the airline's plans at that time.
Title: Re: Possible airport strikes in the UK
Post by: cosmo on 16.08.2010, 22:50:26
Some good news http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-10449594 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-10449594)
Title: Re: Possible airport strikes in the UK
Post by: Tseatah on 16.08.2010, 22:51:24
This just in.

Strikes may be called off, as a 'more acceptable' offer has been tabled by BAA, and Unite - the union representing workers - is going to urge the workers to accept the deal.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/7949133/Airport-strikes-off-as-union-agrees-deal-with-BAA.html