British Airways strike: Airline incorrectly told passengers flights were cancelled due to email error
Airline apologises for ‘confusion and inconvenience’ caused
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Your support makes all the difference.British Airways sent out an email incorrectly telling passengers their flights were cancelled.
Some passengers rebooked alternative flights after receiving the email – only to later be told their cancelled flights would still go ahead as planned.
The airline’s pilots plan to strike for three days next month, but passengers who had flights on non-strike days were also contacted by mistake and told to rebook or ask for a refund.
British Airways apologised for the “confusion and inconvenience” and encouraged anyone who had rebooked to get in touch.
The airline said in a statement: “We are sorry that some customers received an email in error to say that their flight had been cancelled on non-strike days.
“We are getting in touch with all those customers this afternoon to clarify that their flight will go ahead as planned.
“We are sorry for any confusion and inconvenience this has caused.
“We would encourage anyone who has incurred any expenses as a direct result to get in touch, and we will deal with each case on an individual basis.”
Thousands of people received emails overnight warning flights on 9, 10 and 27 September would be hit by a “large number of delays and cancellations” after the British Airline Pilots’ Association (Balpa) union confirmed strike action over a pay dispute.
Balpa said 93 per cent of members voted in favour of the action after rejecting a pay rise package of 11.5 per cent over three years.
Passengers took to Twitter on Saturday to vent their confusion after receiving the email in error overnight.
Many complained their honeymoons had been ruined, including one woman who claimed her only option was to pay £3,500 to rebook with another airline.
Another wrote: “You have ruined our day we’re not even flying on one of your pilot strike days but you’ve still chose to cancel our flight #BritishAirways your reputation is shot!
“Now our bridal party won’t even make the wedding.”
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