Emirates slams ‘incompetent’ handling of Heathrow ‘airmageddon’

Gulf carrier Emirates has blasted London Heathrow for the way it has handled demands for the airline to cut flights.

Emirates said it was given just 36 hours to comply with capacity cuts and ‘dictated the specific flights on which we should throw out paying passengers.’

“It also threatened legal action for non-compliance,” the airline said.

“The figure appears to be plucked from thin air”

“This is entirely unreasonable and unacceptable, and we reject these demands.”

Emirates’ ground handling and catering is run by dnata, part of the Emirates Group and is resourced to handle flights.

“So the crux of the issue lies with the central services and systems which are the responsibility of the airport operator.”

“Now, with blatant disregard for consumers, they wish to force Emirates to deny seats to tens of thousands of travellers who have paid for, and booked months ahead,” the airline added.

Emirates believes in doing the right thing. However, rebooking the sheer numbers of potentially impacted passengers is impossible with all flights running full.”

“70% of our customers from LHR are headed beyond Dubai and it will be impossible to find them new onward connections at short notice.”

It says moving some flights to other UK airports at short notice is not a realistic option.

“Ensuring ground readiness to handle and turnaround a widebody long-haul aircraft with 500 passengers onboard is not as simple as finding a parking spot at a mall.”

“LHR management team are cavalier about travellers and their airline customers.”

LHR chose not to act, not to plan, not invest. Now faced with an ‘airmageddon’ situation due to their incompetence and non-action, they are pushing entire burden – of costs and the scramble to sort the mess – to airlines and travellers.”

The shareholders of London Heathrow should scrutinise the decisions of the LHR management team.

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