Families gearing up for an Easter getaway are in for a rough ride as Heathrow Airport braces for a double whammy of disruptions.
With a Border Force strike looming on the horizon and an airline grounding a significant portion of its fleet, holidaymakers are being cautioned to brace for potential chaos.
The first blow was dealt by the PCS union, representing passport and immigration staff, as they announced impending walkouts from as early as April 8, right during the Easter holidays.
The strike action is in response to proposed changes to shift patterns, which the union claims could lead to the loss of nearly 250 jobs. Fran Heathcote, General Secretary of PCS, said: “It’s not too late for the Home Office to do the decent thing and drop these unnecessary changes.”
In response, a spokesperson from the Home Office said: “We have robust plans in place to minimise any delays from planned strike action.”
However, concerns remain high about the potential impact on travellers’ journeys.
Adding to the turmoil, Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) has grounded a significant portion of its fleet operating out of Heathrow.
Six A320 jets from its Connect short-haul fleet and twelve aircraft from its Mainline operation have been withdrawn due to a delay in obtaining spare parts. Crew members have been informed of potential flight cancellations and roster revisions as a result of this setback.
Explaining the situation, a source revealed: “The jets are grounded in Scandinavia until expired parts have been replaced — but this could take up to a month. It’s a total mess.”
In response to the upheaval, SAS issued an apology, stating: “We are deeply sorry for the inconvenience. Safety is always our number one priority.”
