The travel chaos across Britain’s airports and other ports have added to the angst of travellers, after two years of staying put due to Coronavirus restrictions. As summer arrivesin most European cities, people travelling abroad have been met with constant delays, cancelled flights and queues meandering outside airports and the Eurostar station at St Pancras.
Namita Dey, as she landed in Gatwick on Thursday, had to wait for hours, before she could go through immigration, despite having a UK passport. “I had a long flight”, she told the newsweekly. “Everything went smooth till we landed. When we approached immigration in the North Terminus, we were asked to wait, before we could even join the immigration queue. However, reaching the floor, we could not avail the e-gates, and amidst the heat and chaos, British nationals and foreigner passport holders stood together in the same queue. There were few counters open and overwhelmed passengers kept joining the queue. It took me more than an hour to cross immigration, and you can imagine the frustration.”
Travellers from the community face disappointments
Speaking to Asian Voice, Vaneet Mehta described how his friend’s flight cancellation led to his trip being called off last minute and he even had to pay for a night’s stay at the hotel. “My friend and I planned the trip at the start of May for the Jubilee Bank Holiday.
“When the airline cancelled my friend's flight, I phoned my flight operator and managed to get a travel voucher.
“We were not compensated. My friend got a full refund, and I got a travel voucher equal to my flight cost. Though we haven't rebooked yet, but we will be for next year.
“We lost a bit of money on cancelling the hotel, yes. But managed to get a refund on most of it (had to pay for one night out of four).”
When asked if he would advise people to cancel holidays to avoid chaos, he said, “I don't think I'd advise people to cancel. But just be wary and prepared for delays and cancellations. Get insurance. Book with free cancellation or the option to get a travel voucher.”
Sarabjeet Kaley’s flight to Rotterdam got cancelled when he was waiting at the queue to check in their luggage. Speaking to Asian Voice he said, “We planned our trip on 18 March. We have family in Rotterdam. So, I booked 2 adults 1 toddler and 1 baby ticket.
We were waiting to check in our luggage when the flight was announced as cancelled. No warning. The airline said we cannot rebook on any flights on the same day due to staff “pilot” testing positive for covid.
“However, the Airline has offered to pay for tickets when we rebook within 12 months plus a free upgrade to business class. Also gave 25% discount code for 12 months if we book any other flights but we haven’t rebooked.
“I’d highly recommend people to not travel abroad this year. Airlines have serious staff shortages and its utter chaos at the airports with people Queuing up outside waiting to get into airport. We are planning to explore beaches this year and museums with the children including theme parks like Alton Towers. Staying in nearby hotels and using more public transport instead of our own family car due to rise in fuel costs.”
Sonya Barlow, an award-winning entrepreneur, diversity, and inclusion coach, TedX speaker and author told Asian Voice, how as a small business owner she struggled with flight cancellations hampering her work. She said, “Due to the travel disruptions I've had to reschedule my business meetings as there's a high chance of change. In February the same thing occurred, costing me £300 out of pocket because a flight was cancelled last minute. For small business owners every penny counts. And luckily through zoom we can still have the conversations to build business partnerships, but there's nothing like a face-to-face meeting with a potential client when you're trying to cross the line with.”
Reviewed timetable to ensure they are deliverable
As we went to press on Tuesday, airlines have been urged to review their summer timetables to ensure they are deliverable.
The Independent reported, The Department for Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority stated that earlier cancellations are “better” than axing flights on the day of departure.
They issued a joint letter to the aviation industry calling on companies to take “all possible steps” to “avoid the unacceptable scenes we have recently witnessed”.
Tens and thousands of passengers have been affected by flight cancellations, long queues at airports especially during the holidays.
RanniaLeontaridi, director general for aviation at the Department for Transport and CAA boss Richard Moriarty set out five “specific expectations” for the sector in their letter, according to the newspaper. The letter reportedly stated that airlines must have “the processes and resources in place to keep consumers informed” about their rights during disruption, such as having “sufficiently staffed call centres and user-friendly digital channels”.
It also proposed that airport chief executives create working groups to bring together airlines, ground handlers, air traffic control and Border Force to “ensure a more coordinated strategic approach”.
The letter comes as Oliver Richardson, national officer for civil aviation at trade union Unite, told MPs that a ranking of airlines based on their number of cancellations “almost exactly corresponds” with how many jobs they cut during the pandemic, the Independent reported.
Can summer vacations can be saved? Let us know your experience at [email protected] for a follow up story.
