British Airways announces more flight cancellations as Heathrow Airport extends cap
British Airways has confirmed there will be more flight cancellations as it slashes short-haul routes from its winter schedule.
The airline has been at the centre of months of disruption with the industry struggling to cope with the demand for air travel amid staffing shortages.
Now the company has cancelled 629 short-haul round trips up to October 29, leaving families planning half-term holidays in doubt.
It comes after London’s busiest airport extended its 100,000 daily passenger limit due to staff shortages.
Around 5,000 BA short-haul flights from Heathrow, Gatwick and London City Airport have also been cancelled over the winter period – around 8% of the airline’s flights up to March 2023.
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In a statement, a spokesperson for British Airways said: "Following Heathrow's decision to extend its passenger cap we're making adjustments to our short-haul schedule for the next two months.
"While the vast majority of our customers will travel as planned and we're protecting key holiday destinations over half-term, we will need to make some further cancellations up to the end of October.
"In addition, we're giving customers travelling with us this winter notice of some adjustments to our schedule, which will include consolidating some of our short-haul flights to destinations with multiple services.
"We'll be offering customers affected by any of these changes an alternative flight with British Airways or another airline or the option of a refund."
In July, Heathrow Airport imposed a passenger cap until September 11, meaning airlines had to cancel flights and limit seats on some journeys.
On August 15, the west London airport extended the cap until October 29.
BA flight capacity has been reduced overall by around 13% between May and October this year.
Other airlines are also expected to make cancellations over the next two months.