Pilots strike forces Thomas Cook to reschedule flights
Thomas Cook Airlines has drawn up ‘robust’ contingency plans and has rescheduled more than 40 flights due to strike action by its pilots this weekend.
Pilots’ union Balpa has called a 24-hour strike from 03:01 on Saturday until 03:00 hours on Sunday morning.
The airline insisted all flights will operate, but said in order to make sure that everyone can still travel during the strike period it has made changes to some departure times.
"We have tried to keep disruption to a minimum and apologise if these changes affect your plans or cause you inconvenience on that day," it said.
"If there are any further changes we will communicate with those customers directly affected, and our website will be updated."
Anyone with urgent questions should contact the Customer Service Team on 01733 224 536.
Pilots union Balpa confirmed this weekend’s strike after five days of talks failed to resolve a dispute over pay.
Thomas Cook pilots went on strike for 12 hours on September 8, the first by British pilots since 1974.
Further walkouts are planned for September 29 and October 6 if the two parties don’t reach an agreement.
A Thomas Cook spokesman said: "We are disappointed that Balpa has decided to go ahead with the strike on Saturday. Thomas Cook management has put forward an increased offer in recent days and remains open to negotiating further. We urge Balpa to come back to the table to resolve this issue in the interests of all involved."
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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