London’s Heathrow airport has increased its passenger forecast to 54.4 million passengers for 2022 in light of record summer demand. The new forecast is 67% of 2019 passenger numbers but well more than the 52.8million the airport predicted for 2022 in April.
However, the airport warns of further downside risks. No least strikes. The GMB union will announce the result
Unions are threatening to bring a summer of travel hell for British holidaymakers – by striking during the school holidays and amid the continuing post-pandemic airport chaos.
The GMB union and the Unite union are balloting British Airways check-in and ground staff at Heathrow Airport members for strike action. GMB has confirmed that a total of 95% of those who voted said they were prepared to strike, on a turnout of more than 80%. A strike is expected during the summer period. Unite is closing its ballot on Monday.
Both unions say the strikes are over a 10 per cent cut in pay imposed on staff during the pandemic. BA say that they have offered a 10% payment but as a one-off – unions are pushing for the full return of the salary.
“Unfortunately our members find themselves in the middle of a dispute that has been nearly three years in the making when British Airways chose to use fire and rehire very opportunistically during the pandemic to cut our members pay and conditions at a time they were unable to fight back and defend themselves,” said GMB’s National Officer, Nadine Houghton…. “They are not asking for a pay rise, they are not asking for a penny more, they are just asking for the money back that they’ve had taken from them.”
