Surfers ranks swell in BA protest
LONDON – British Airways is continuing to ride a wave of criticism following its decision to ban surfboards from their flights.
Surfers are facing sizeable bills to transport their boards abroad, following the airline’s decision to stop accepting the boards.
Most other airlines charge between £15 and £27 each way to carry surfboards
BA, which says surfboards are too bulky, banned them from all flights from last week. Also banned are kayaks, windsurfs and javelins. It will continue to carry skis and snowboards without charge.
A spokesman for the airline said it was working with freight forwarders to find a solution for customers.
Karen Walton, national director of the British Surfing Association (BSA), told the UK Daily Telegraph that surfers would face huge costs and delays if forced to use freight companies.
“To get a board from Newquay to Hossegor in France would cost in excess of £200 each way, and take six days to get there and another six to get back.
“This will not work for surfers who simply will not travel without their boards.”
Australian Mick Fanning, the world surfing champion, has joined a campaign to persuade BA to reverse its decision.
Fanning said, “As a frequent flyer with BA and an athlete on the World Professional Surfers’ tour, I find it hard to understand why people who have been so loyal and spent so much money with BA have been dealt this blow.”
BA partner airline Qantas said it had no plans “to change our current arrangements”, which allow surfboards to be carried subject to certain weight and length conditions.
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