DALLAS — Over the weekend, British Airways (BA) disrupted the travel plans of around 25,000 passengers due to extensive flight cancellations.
The aviation analysis firm Cirium had predicted Friday would be the busiest day of the year for UK flights, but due to the disruptions, the record was unlikely to be set.
Over 100 flights were grounded on Friday, with the airline citing adverse weather conditions in London as the primary cause.
Most of these cancellations occurred at London Heathrow Airport (LHR), mainly affecting holiday destinations Larnaca, Ibiza, and Mallorca. London City Airport (LCY) also saw cancellations, including flights to Barcelona, Florence, and Malaga.
On Saturday, the cancellations continued, with at least 60 more flights affected, including those to Mediterranean hotspots such as Athens, Rome, and Palma. Some passengers found themselves stranded overnight, as BA canceled flights, such as a delayed service to Hamburg.
According to independent.co.uk, Many travelers were frustrated by the situation, and scammers tried to exploit the chaos, posing as BA representatives to steal personal information from passengers.
Due to the high demand for flights between London and Europe, many passengers needed help finding alternative travel arrangements. Some passengers were rebooked on other airlines without the hotel accommodations required under European air passenger rights laws.
Despite the widespread cancellations at LHR, no other airlines canceled European flights, raising questions about BA's response.
This is a developing story.
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December 2024
