According to the Wall Street Journal and numerous other sources, British Airways has said that it plans to expand flight schedules through the next period of planned industrial action, as increased numbers of its cabin crew wanted to work as normal.
The UK flag-carrier said in a statement that due to the higher-than-expected number of crew reporting for work, it would run a full operation at London's Gatwick (pictured) and London City airports during the planned four-day strike action that is scheduled to begin on March 27. At Heathrow airport, it planned to operate 55 percent of short-haul flights and 70 percent of long-haul flights.
BA said it will continue to supplement its short-haul schedule by leasing up to 11 aircraft, with pilots and crews from six different UK and European airlines.
The number of leased aircraft is less than the 25 aircraft BA called into service during the last three-day strike, mainly because competitor airlines had already scheduled those aircraft for their own usage during the peak Easter travel period. Instead, BA said it would use more of its own aircraft.
BA will re-book passengers on 60 other competitor airlines to try to limit disruptions to passenger travel.
Cabin crew at the UK carrier begun a three-day strike action March 20, after talks with management broke down.
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