Milan Malpensa Airport News

British Airways Christmas Strikes

Milan Malpensa passengers face Christmas travel misery after British Airways cabin crew announced a 12-day strike in a dispute over jobs, pay and working conditions.

The strikes are set to begin on 22 December and run until 2 January. Cabin crew voted by nine to one in favour of the strike action, with an 80% turnout.

There will now be urgent talks between the union and British Airways in an attempt to prevent the strikes.

British Airways are offering passengers who are booked to travel during the strike period or 48 hours either side of it the chance to rebook their flights at no extra cost. The airline will inform customers of changes to its schedules using the contact details supplied at the time of booking.

British Airways said that it was preparing a contingency plan to deal with the unrest, but refused to give any details until it had received in writing the details of the action being taken.

On Monday it emerged that the financial position of the loss making airline had taken a sharp turn for the worse. The trustees of its two pension schemes have told the company that the schemes now have a combined deficit of £3.7bn.

It is not yet clear how serious the disruption will be or which flights will be cancelled, or what compensation will be available to affected travellers.

BA said the strikes were “completely unjustified”, while rival airlines have moved to tempt customers affected by the action.

Travel associations in the United Kingdom, advised people who were hoping to travel with British Airways to await developments, rather than trying to book with other airlines, which have already taken a large number of Christmas bookings.

BA to charge to reserve seats

British Airways passengers departing from Milan Malpensa Airport will have to pay to choose their seats before they travel.

The new charges across the BA network will affect people who want to ensure they sit together on a flight and anyone with a preference for window, aisle or emergency exit seats.

At present, BA allows passengers to reserve seats in the 24 hours prior to departure, but from next month those willing to pay will be able to secure their preferred spot in the cabin when they make a booking.

BA said the move would “give customers more control over their seating options”.

For an economy class trip within Europe, passengers will pay an extra €12 per person to choose a seat.

On long haul economy or short flights in business class the charge will be €24, and €72 in business class on long haul voyages.

A seat in an emergency exit row with extra legroom will cost €60 and can be booked between 10 and four days before departure.

The new charges follows the airline’s decision to cut luggage allowances and abolish free meals on short flights.