March 2010

A Midlands travel management company has praised British Airways for its 'flexibility' as the airline tries to deal with this weekend's staff strikes.

Holidaymakers and business travellers are set to be affected by the cabin crew walk-out, which is in protest of staffing levels and working conditions.

But David Moore, business travel director at Leamington-based Travel Management Group, said BA is 'doing its best' to allow travellers to cancel, re-book or switch airlines, so that they are overly inconvenienced.

"This is an extremely frustrating strike because there has been so much uncertainty about it and the lack of advance warning has meant a scramble for everyone, particularly business travellers," he said.

"It's very hard to schedule events, conferences and meetings when you're travel plans are up in the air, and it's left people with just a few days to organise alternative travel.

"But in fairness to BA, it has tried to put customers first. They are allowing people who have booked to travel to cancel or re-book fairly simply and they've even helped some people to switch onto partner airlines or chartered flights.

"That has helped us - we've been contacting our customers as soon as flights have been cancelled to put alternate plans in place with as little disruption as possible.

"The fact that BA are trying to be accommodating is making our lives easier because we can re-organise faster and ensure we can call our business travellers to tell them their new details with minimal fuss.

"But this is a frustrating situation for everyone involved and I hope a resolution can be reached soon so there are no more inconveniences to passengers and businesses."