ASH UPDATE – BA working round the clock to get flights back
British Airways aims to run all long haul flights from Heathrow and Gatwick today after the ash cloud flying ban was lifted last night.
But there will be short haul service cancellations to and from London airports until 13.00 even though UK airspace was re-opened (see separate TravelMole story).
The full long haul schedule will help to get more aircraft, pilots and cabin crew who are in the UK out to cities around the world to help customers still awaiting a flight, BA said.
"We are very pleased that the aviation authorities have opened UK airspace to enable us to begin in earnest the task of bringing our stranded customers home," the airline said.
"We appreciate the consideration that the CAA and the Government have given to the evidence and data that we and other airlines have put forward in support of a safe approach to managing the potential risk posed by the volcanic activity in Iceland."
BA chief executive Willie Walsh said: “Safety is always our over-riding priority. We have many years of experience of operating in areas of volcanic activity all around the world.
“On behalf of the tens of thousands of customers stranded around the globe, we are delighted the authorities have paid heed to the arguments we and the industry have put forward.”
BA said it would do all it can to bring in as many of the 28 long haul aircraft as possible which had originally been due to land at Heathrow or Gatwick after 19.00 last night.
The first flight landed just before 22.00 last night as the UK airspace restrictions were lifted.
"Tt is bound to take some considerable time before we can restore our full flying programme," BA said. "We are reviewing our schedule to see if we can operate some longhaul flights into Heathrow and Gatwick landing between 05.00 and 12.00 on Wednesday.
"We continue to work around the clock to see how many flights we can operate in the days ahead to help as many customers as possible reach their final destination."
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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