Beautiful Virgin Islands

Friday, Mar 31, 2023

Airlines face further pressure over cancellations as one company benefits from the chaos

Airlines face further pressure over cancellations as one company benefits from the chaos

WH Smith reports bumper travel sales after airports are widely gripped by queues due to flight disruption which the government is demanding airlines tackle through better management of their schedules.

As airlines are told they must have "deliverable" schedules in a bid to avoid a repeat of the recent chaos at airports, one company has seemingly enjoyed a boost from the queues.

WH Smith, which has a major presence at UK airports, reported on Wednesday that it had seen bumper travel business trading during its third financial quarter to 11 June.

The end of May and early June saw tens of thousands of holidaymakers affected by delays and cancellations as airlines and airports grappled staff shortages.

The problems have existed since Easter when flight volumes rose after the end of COVID restrictions.

Following a hearing by MPs into the causes of the half-term mayhem on Tuesday, the Department for Transport (DfT) and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) issued a joint letter to the aviation industry calling on companies to take "all possible steps" to "avoid the unacceptable scenes we have recently witnessed".

It stated that earlier cancellations are "better" than axing flights on the day of departure.

The Independent's travel editor Simon Calder, who was among the witnesses giving evidence to the parliamentary committee, told Sky News that British Airways and easyJet were the two airlines giving the most cause for concern.

"British Airways and easyJet are cancelling flights in extraordinary numbers," he said.

"BA have cancelled more than 100 short haul, European and domestic flights today but they cancelled those generally two or three weeks ago and gave plenty of warning.

"EasyJet cancelled 40 flights to and from Gatwick today and they quite often gave a few days and maybe in some cases, a few hours' notice.

"The letter... is aimed squarely at easyJet - the part which says you've got to have a 'deliverable' schedule."

He said there were lots of instances, he added, of the airline cancelling one of its frequent daily services and moving passengers onto different flights.

Both airlines, which cut staff after international travel was grounded in 2020 because of the COVID pandemic, told the MPs they were sorry for the disruption and working hard to bolster their schedules.

Under questioning, BA's representative refused to admit that its decision to axe more than 10,000 workers had damaged its ability to deliver services but it, like easyJet, argued that hiring efforts were being hampered by big delays in securing security clearances.

The return of passenger volumes since March has come as a welcome relief for airports and their associated businesses.


WH Smith said its UK airport shops performed better than rail when compared to 2019 levels - likely a consequence of many commuters continuing to work from home rather than offices.

The company said it expected its full-year performance to reach the higher end of analysts' forecasts because of the travel boost.

It credited the recovery in its North American and British markets, with its total travel business revenue at 123% of pre-pandemic levels in the quarter.

However, it said sales in its high street stores continued to lag those seen in 2019.

Shares were almost 7% up at the open.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
Close
0:00
0:00
Don’t Dismiss China’s Peacemaking Bid
I have a dream, MLK inspiring speech
Father obliterates council members following viral TikTok of biological male masturbating in women’s bathroom..
Aretha Franklin, Marvis Staples - Oh Happy Day
China and Brazil have signed a new deal that will allow them to trade in their own currencies, bypassing the US dollar as an intermediary
BVI Freedom Song
Elon Musk and Others Call for Pause on A.I., Citing ‘Profound Risks to Society’
Billy Preston - You Can't Beat God Giving (Live)
Nashville style execution
VIRGIN ISLANDS REGGAE CARIBBEAN RIDDIMZ
“We've had evidence prior to the pandemic that masks were largely ineffective at preventing community transmission of influenza “
Oh Happy Day Edwin Hawkins - Anthony Brown w FBCG Combined Choir
Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz:
'Stand by Me' performed by Karen Gibson and The Kingdom Choir
Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz rejects being labeled a "billionaire"
National Anthem of the British Virgin Islands - Oh, Beautiful Virgin
Jamie Dimon is being deposed over JPMorgan Chase role in Epstein lawsuits
Hello Dolly
This is how an electric car saves all the energy that he would have spent if he had lived 50 years longer.
for KING & COUNTRY - Amen (Reborn) [feat. Lecrae & The WRLDFMS Tony Wi
Brand new security footage has just been released to the public showing the Active shooter Audrey Elizabeth Hale drove to Covenant Church School in her Honda Fit this morning, parked, and shot her way into the building
Bob Marley - Get Up Stand Up
Social Media censoring users for saying the true
Yes He Can
Smart Iranian fashion designer teaching dummy TV anchors lesson about reality
What A Friend We Have In Jesus
AMERICA, 2023
Unforgettable
U.S. charges FTX's Bankman-Fried with paying $40 million bribe
Touch The Hem Of His Garment
Fallen 'Crypto King' Who Owes Millions to Investors Was Kidnapped and Tortured
The Lord's Prayer
Regulators blame social media for SVB's rapid collapse: 'Complete game changer'
THE GOD MOVEMENT...BEAUTIFUL BVI
AOC explains why she opposes banning TikTok
Siyahamba
UK: Humza Yousaf replaces Nicola Sturgeon as SNP leader and first minister in Scotland
Ray Charles And The Voices Of Jubilaton, Oh, Happy Day
In a dramatic U-turn against His Government: Judicial Reform Legislation Must Be Halted, Says Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant
Ramblin' Rose
Gordon Moore, a co-founder of Intel Corporation, died at 94
Protoje - Who Knows ft. Chronixx
Powell: Silicon Valley Bank was an 'outlier'
Pressure - Virgin Islands Nice
Donald Trump arrested – Twitter goes wild with doctored pictures
Phil Wickham - House Of The Lord
NYPD is setting up barricades outside Manhattan Criminal Court ahead of Trump arrest.
My God Is Real (Yes, God Is Real)
Credit Suisse's Scandalous History Resulted in an Obvious Collapse - It's time for regulators who fail to do their job to be held accountable and serve as an example by being behind bars.
The Lion King Circle of Life by LEBO M. — LIVE at the HAVASI Symphonic
Home Secretary Suella Braverman tours potential migrant housing in Rwanda as asylum deal remains mired in legal challenges
Louis Armstrong - When The Saints Go Marching In
Paris Rioting vs Macron anti democratic law
Kanye West Sunday Service - hallelujah, salvation, and glory
'Sexual Fantasy' Assignment At US School Outrages Parents
Jonathan Nelson - I Believe (Island Medley
Credit Suisse to borrow $54 billion from Swiss central bank
From The Virgin Islands Sqad Up
Russian Hackers Preparing New Cyber Assault Against Ukraine
Common, John Legend - Glory
Jeremy Hunt insists his Budget will get young parents and over-50s back into work
Anthony Evans vs. Jesse Campbell - If I Ain't Got You
If this was in Tehran, Moscow or Hong Kong
I have a dream, MLK inspiring speech
Nashville police officer, and a female driver shooting one another
Aretha Franklin, Marvis Staples - Oh Happy Day
TRUMP: "Standing before you today, I am the only candidate who can make this promise: I will prevent World War III."
BVI Freedom Song
Mexican President Claims Mexico is Safer than the U.S.
Billy Preston - You Can't Beat God Giving (Live)
A brief banking situation report
VIRGIN ISLANDS REGGAE CARIBBEAN RIDDIMZ
Lady bites police officer and gets instantly reaction
Oh Happy Day Edwin Hawkins - Anthony Brown w FBCG Combined Choir
We are witnessing widespread bank fails and the president just gave a 5 min speech then walked off camera.
'Stand by Me' performed by Karen Gibson and The Kingdom Choir
Donald Trump's asked by Tucker Carlson question on if the U.S. should support regime change in Russia?.
National Anthem of the British Virgin Islands - Oh, Beautiful Virgin
Good news: The U.S. government is now guaranteeing all deposits, held by, Silicon Valley Bank, and the funds are available as of today
Hello Dolly
Silicon Valley Bank exec was Lehman Brothers CFO
for KING & COUNTRY - Amen (Reborn) [feat. Lecrae & The WRLDFMS Tony Wi
In a potential last-ditch effort, HSBC is considering a rescue deal to save Silicon Valley Bank UK from insolvency
Bob Marley - Get Up Stand Up
BBC Director General, Tim Davie, has apologized, but not resigned, yet, following the disruption of sports programmes over the weekend
Yes He Can
A Mississippian man, who was once considered a “ticking time bomb,” has lost a whopping 165 kilograms! What motivated this incredible transformation?
What A Friend We Have In Jesus
Elon Musk Is Planning To Build A Town In Texas For His Employees
Unforgettable
The Silicon Valley Bank’s collapse effect is spreading around the world, affecting startup companies across the globe
Touch The Hem Of His Garment
City officials in Berlin announced on Thursday that all swimmers at public pools will soon be allowed to swim topless
The Lord's Prayer
Fitness scam
THE GOD MOVEMENT...BEAUTIFUL BVI
Market Chaos as USDC Loses Peg to USD after $3.3 Billion Reserves Held by Silicon Valley Bank Closed.
Siyahamba
A primitive judge in Australia sparked outrage when he told a breastfeeding woman to leave his courtroom for being “a distraction"
Ray Charles And The Voices Of Jubilaton, Oh, Happy Day
×