The magnitude of the debacle engulfing the UK aviation sector has been exposed in recent days – and it’s not a pretty sight.
Because what should have been a relaxing vacation for millions of people this summer has turned into a myriad of worries about last-minute cancellations and airport chaos.
This week, Dubai-based airline Emirates rejected an order from Heathrow that it must cancel flights to and from the airport to meet a new passenger limit.
Heathrow has capped passenger numbers to 100,000 a day until September 11 and has ordered airlines to stop selling summer tickets.
Shambolic: Crowds of passengers face long queues and delays at airports
Last week, British Airways, previously seen by many as a disloyalty to the national airline industry, announced plans to cancel a further 10,000 flights until the end of October.
Other airlines such as easyJet have also made sweeping cancellations to try to contain the chaos.
What is happening in the aviation sector? How did this mess come about, and why were airports and airlines under-prepared for the surely inevitable surge in demand for travel after the pandemic? This is Money asked two experts to find out.
Their analysis shows that a potent cocktail of factors combined to create the chaotic scenes we see today.
It’s not just UK airports and airlines that are struggling either. Problems are occurring all over Europe, and airports such as Schiphol in Amsterdam are also being hit hard.
Speaking to This is Money, Rhys Jones, an expert at Head for Points, said: ‘Essentially, the chaos we are seeing at airports and airlines in the UK is the result of multiple issues happening at the same time.
“Perhaps the biggest problem was the fact that the furlough scheme ended in the fall, before air travel demand had returned to near its previous high, leaving airlines and airports having to make tough staffing decisions.
This was compounded by Omicron, which stalled the industry’s recovery, and the government’s lack of clarity on how and when travel restrictions would be lifted.
Last December it would have been extremely difficult to predict whether travel would recover in 2022 or whether Omicron would lead to further lockdowns and travel restrictions.
“It could have gone either way, and the airline industry was careful not to overload itself for fear of losing more money than it already had, so there was a lot of caution to take off again.”
He added: ‘The increase over the past six months is also unprecedented, from very low traffic volumes to very high traffic volumes in a very short time, which is very difficult to manage.
“I don’t think the airline industry has ever experienced such a massive upswing in such a short time – I believe, for example, that the post-9/11 and post-2008 period was more gradual.”
Cancellations: British Airways cancels thousands of flights until autumn
In particular, Jones does not believe that one entity is responsible for the current chaos, as a number of factors have played a role in exacerbating the situation.
In terms of when the current chaos will begin to calm down, Jones said: “I am hopeful that the issues will be resolved by the end of the summer/fall, which is obviously too late for the high school holiday season, which also includes the is most profitable. term for airlines and airports.’
Gordon Smith, a travel expert and aviation journalist, told This is Money: “While there was little doubt that a recovery would eventually occur, the magnitude and speed of the surge in passenger demand surprised many companies.”
He added: “Serious rifts are emerging between the airlines that have planned well and are ready for the summer, and those that are struggling to cope.
“The huge frustrations stem from the fact that aviation is a complex ecosystem and carriers are only as strong as their weakest partner.
“You may have your own house in order, but if a contractor or supplier is having a hard time, you – and your passengers – will soon feel the pain too.”
On the issue of passenger restrictions and the industry’s prospects, Gordon said: “After more than two years begging us to get on a plane, some airlines are now doing their best to keep passenger numbers down.
“It’s a farce, but without quick fixes it seems likely that this turbulence will continue for the rest of the summer season.”
Another factor that cannot be ignored revolves around one word: recruitment.
In recent months, the airline industry has struggled to hire new staff after cutting thousands of jobs during the pandemic, as well as seeing many quit for better-paid work in other industries.
British Airways alone has laid off about 10,000 employees during the pandemic.
Now those airlines that have cut their workforces to the bone are unable to recruit fast enough after the government suddenly lifted all travel restrictions in March, triggering a massive surge in bookings.
Jones told This is Money: “We’re currently in one of the most popular employee markets ever, so many staff who previously worked in temporary jobs at airports and airlines have found they can get better-paying jobs elsewhere with better hours.
“Who wants to get up at 3am to move luggage for minimum wage?”
British Airways offers new cabin crew a £1,000 ‘golden hello’ as the airline competes to recruit workers.
While the situation is grim, Jones told This is Money, it’s important to note that not all airlines and airports are floundering.
Jones said: ‘While British Airways, Wizz Air and easyJet are struggling, Ryanair and Virgin Atlantic have fared much more favourably.
“If you haven’t booked your summer vacation yet, it pays to do your homework and find out who and where is doing well.”
If your flight is canceled or you experience significant delays at the airport, it pays to know your rights and what compensation you may be entitled to.
This is Money has a handy guide to your flight cancellation rights, which tells you what to do if, for example, you can’t go on holiday because your flight has been canceled or what to do if you are stuck at an airport for hours.
| If your flight is canceled less than 7 days before departure | ||
|---|---|---|
| Distance | Departure and arrival times | A fee |
| Less than 1,500km | If your new flight departs more than an hour before your original flight and arrives less than two hours later | £110 |
| If your new flight arrives more than two hours after your original flight | £220 | |
| 1,500km to 3,500km | If your new flight departs more than an hour before your original flight and arrives less than three hours later | £175 |
| If your new flight arrives more than three hours after your original flight | £350 | |
| More than 3,500km | If your new flight departs more than an hour before your original flight and arrives less than four hours later | £260 |
| If your new flight arrives more than four hours after your original flight | £520 | |
| If your flight is canceled between 7 and 14 days before departure | ||
| Distance | Departure and arrival times | A fee |
| Less than 1,500km | If your new flight departs more than two hours before your original flight and arrives less than two hours later | £110 |
| If your new flight departs more than two hours before your original flight and arrives more than two hours later | £220 | |
| If your new flight arrives more than four hours after your original flight | £220 | |
| 1,500km to 3,500km | If your new flight departs more than two hours before your original flight and arrives less than three hours later | £175 |
| If your new flight departs more than two hours before your original flight and arrives three to four hours later | £350 | |
| If your new flight arrives more than four hours after your original flight | £350 | |
| More than 3,500km | If your new flight departs more than two hours before your original flight and arrives less than four hours later | £260 |
| If your new flight arrives more than four hours after your original flight | £520 | |
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