Following Heathrow’s decision to extend its passenger cap until October 29, British Airways is making adjustments to its short-haul schedule, axing about 10 000 flights at the airport until the end of March next year.
This will affect approximately 8% of the airline’s winter short-haul schedule, according to The Guardian.
“In addition, we may also need to limit the number of seats or fares available on some flights during this period to ensure we continue to be compliant with the cap,” reads a statement released by BA. “Separately, we’re giving customers travelling with us this winter notice of some adjustments to our schedule, which will include consolidating some of our short-haul flights to destinations with multiple services.”
BA will offer customers affected by any of these changes an alternative flight or the option of a refund.
UK average flight delays rise
The UK Civil Aviation Authority has released figures that indicate a rebound in passenger numbers in the second quarter of this year; however, longer delays and more cancellations are also indicated.
According to the figures, 63 million passengers flew in and out of the UK between April and June this year, compared with 31 million in the same period last year.
The increase comes after the lifting of all COVID restrictions in the country at the end of March, reports Travel Weekly.
With the lifting of restrictions, flight cancellations and delays rose too. Average flight delays have increased to 25 minutes in Q2, compared with 15 minutes in the first quarter of this year, with fewer than two-thirds of flights reported to have departed on time.
An average of 1,6% of flights were cancelled in Q2, compared with 0,7% in the second quarter of 2019. Cancellations peaked at 4,7% in the second quarter of this year.
Airlines have reportedly been revising flight schedules to minimise further disruption, while airports such as Heathrow have capped the number of departures.