British Airways has halted ticket sales on some short-haul services out of London Heathrow to make room for passengers who have had their flights scrapped amid capacity caps at the airport.
The UK carrier said the move follows Heathrow's request for airlines to limit new bookings after introducing a limit of 100,000 daily departing customers on July 12 to help cope with a staffing crisis. BA is the largest airline based at the airport so has been disproportionately affected by the cap.
Sales on its domestic and European routes and via Morocco and Cairo have been suspended until August 8. It is intended to stabilise the situation for passengers who already have tickets, but risks causing further problems for those seeking last-minute flights.
“We’ve decided to take responsible action and limit the available fares on some Heathrow services to help maximise rebooking options for existing customers, given the restrictions imposed on us and the ongoing challenges facing the entire aviation industry,” a BA spokesman said.
British Airways has cancelled about 13 per cent of planned capacity this summer because of a staff shortage and the steps imposed by Heathrow.
Airlines and airports across Europe are struggling to meet demand that is rebounding strongly from the coronavirus crisis, with the London port warning last week that the situation could persist through next summer.
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Long queues, cancellations and luggage problems have plagued Heathrow Airport since the travel sector’s comeback from coronavirus restrictions. Bloomberg -
The airport has struggled to cope with a volume of more than 100,000 departing passengers a day, with bags arriving late, queues snaking through terminals and flights being cancelled at the 11th hour. Reuters -
Travelling through Heathrow has been a dire experience for some of late. AP -
Suitcases uncollected at Heathrow's Terminal 3 baggage reclaim. AFP -
There is a shortage of staff after many people were laid off during the pandemic. AP -
Heathrow rejects the accusation of having failed to prepare, saying it started recruiting extra staff last November. AP -
Baggage piles up outside Terminal 2 at Heathrow in June. Baggage issues have bedevilled the airport, with a combination of staff shortages and malfunctioning automated baggage handling systems contributing to the mayhem. Reuters -
One traveller shows his disappointment while waiting in a long queue to pass through a security check in June. Getty Images -
Passengers queue to check in at Terminal 5. Bloomberg -
A queue snakes through the airport. Getty Images -
A waiting passenger decides to get some sleep in Terminal 5. Reuters -
Long queues form through a terminal. PA -
A crowded check in area in Terminal 2 in April. Heathrow rejects the accusation of having failed to prepare, saying it started recruiting months ago. PA -
A dejected looking passenger queues for check-in ahead of the Easter Bank Holiday weekend at Heathrow in April. Reuters -
People queuing to go through security at Heathrow. PA -
Queues at arrivals in Heathrow in March. Photo: Sven Kili / Twitter
The cap on sales imposed by BA is similar to measures adopted by Air France-KLM’s Dutch unit in late May as signs of travel chaos this summer were emerging.
Like Heathrow, Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport and London’s smaller Gatwick have also imposed curbs on departures.
Capacity caps may have crimped passenger numbers, but they have also bolstered fares in a sector where demand was already close to matching supply on many routes.
An economy class seat with hand baggage only from London’s smallest airport, City, to Frankfurt on August 2 was as much as £417 ($512) one way, although return fares were considerably cheaper at about £190, a search on BA’s website shows.
A flight to Milan Malpensa from London Gatwick was slightly cheaper at £354.
British Airways through the years – in pictures
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British Airways has been flying for over 100 years. It was founded as Aircraft Transport and Travel Limited in 1919. All photos: Getty Images -
A British Airways Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft taking off in 2021 -
British Airways employees welcome Olympians returning from the Tokyo Olympics at Heathrow Airport in August 2021 -
A British Airways Boeing 747-400 aircraft arrives at St Athan Airport in Wales in 2020, after setting off for its last flight -
A British Union flag flies from the cockpit of a new Airbus A380 aircraft after landing at Heathrow Airport in 2013 -
Spectators watch as the last Concorde lands at Heathrow Airport in 2003 -
British Airways Concordes at Glasgow Airport in 1983 -
David Nicholson, the first chairman of British Airways after the merger of a number of UK airlines, proudly displays a model of the Concorde in 1973 -
The first Boeing 747 to be operated by the British Overseas Airways Corporation arrives at Heathrow Airport in May 1970 -
Hawker Siddeley HS 121 Trident 1C medium-range commercial jets for British European Airways at de Havillands Hatfield Aerodrome in 1963 -
A British Overseas Airways Corporation Comet III aircraft on display at Farnborough in 1954. The British Overseas Airways Corporation was formed in April 1940 -
Passengers queuing to board a British European Airways Vickers Viking aircraft in 1950 -
The British Overseas Airways Corporation Short Solent passenger flying boat docks at her new berth near Tower Bridge in London in 1949 -
A British Overseas Airways Corporation air stewardess brings a tray of coffee to passengers during a Second World War flight in 1945 -
A British Airways passenger aircraft at Gatwick Airport in 1936 -
Four Handley Page W10 and one Handley Page W9 Hampstead aircraft operated by Imperial Airways are christened by Lady Maud Hoare, Viscountess Templewood, at Croydon Aerodrome in 1926. Imperial Airways was created in 1924
