Mass security walk-outs are planned, as well as runway shutdowns, building works and air traffic control problems anticipated
Holidaymakers hoping to go overseas for some autumn sun have been given bad news with a series of serious issues set to hit flights to European hotspots. Afte the summer holidays this time of year is always popular both for those without children and also families doing a flit abroad during the October half term.
However there are a number of big problems expected which will caused delays and cancellations, the I reported. Brussels Airlines has said it would cancel most of its flights on October 1 due to a Belgian national strike of security workers.
Brussels Airport, the largest airport in the country, had asked airlines to review their schedules because the strike would lead to a reduction in security screenings. The airport said a large number of security staff would be expected to participate in the strike and predicted a major impact on airport operations that day.
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A spokesperson for Brussels Airlines said it would need to cancel 80% of its 203 flights scheduled for the day. Passengers would be offered an alternative flight schedule with a flight on an earlier departure date, later departure date or on the same day through another Lufthansa Group hub.
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The airport management said in a statement: “To avoid long waiting times at the security screening, airlines have decided in consultation with Brussels airport to cancel or reschedule a large number of departing flights on 1 October. The airlines will inform the passengers of the impacted flights directly.”
A Brussels Airlines spokesperson said: “A national manifestation organised by the unions of security workers in Belgium will take place on October 1. Consequently, capacity at the security screenings at Brussels airport will be reduced.
“The airport has requested all the airlines to review their schedules accordingly. Brussels Airlines has therefore taken the difficult decision to cancel most of its flights on 1 October. Passengers whose flight is cancelled will be contacted by Brussels Airlines. The airline will offer an alternative flight schedule and will do its utmost to get everyone on their destination with the least possible delay. This can be a flight on an earlier departure date, a later date or the same day via another hub of Lufthansa Group.”
October brings multiple other problems for air travellers, according to the latest bulletin from the Opsgroup. The group, an international membership organisation for pilots and other aviation staff, has released its latest bulletin detailing the challenges.
At Majorca (Palma) Airport airline Jet 2 has warned that there is currently some maintenance work taking place, and said customer services representatives would be on hand if there any problems.
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At Madrid one of the airport’s four runways will soon be closed for repairs for six weeks from 2 October to 12 November, meaning a reduction in capacity of around 25 percent. In Mumbai the airport will be completely closed from 11am to 5pm local time) on 17 October for pre-monsoon season runway maintenance.
Singapore airport will be closed for brief periods on 8 and 16 October for the annual military exercise Bersama Lima. Every day airline Ryanair is complaining of delays caused by European Air Traffic Control staff shortages, and it is thought these issues will continue into October. Today (Sept 26) Ryanair said “16% of Ryanair’s first wave departures (91 of 581 aircraft) were delayed due to ATC “staff shortages”. These repeated flight delays due to ATC mismanagement are unacceptable.
“We apologise to our passengers for these repeated ATC flight delays which are deeply regrettable but beyond Ryanair’s control. We encourage passengers to visit atcruinedourholiday.com and demand that the EU Commission take urgent action to improve Europe’s ATC system.”
