Travellers braced for holiday chaos

Published on Friday 27 August 2004 12:51

HOLIDAYMAKERS were bracing themselves for industrial action which is expected to throw transport networks into chaos over the long holiday weekend.

British Airways will draft in senior managers, including its chief executive, to help out at busy London airport terminals after staff shortages caused flight cancellations this week.

Europe’s second-largest airline cancelled three more return flights yesterday following severe disruption two days ago and braced for further problems this weekend.

The flag carrier said it may merge some services if there are empty seats on planes flying on the same route in one day, and will ask managers to back staff up at London’s Heathrow Airport.

On the railways, some 160 workers on the cross-channel Eurostar service plan to hold a 24-hour strike tomorrow to press for higher wages, but the company has said its services may not be affected as it plans to draft in managers to cover key functions.