Shropshire Star

BA passengers told to sit tight and wait

Shropshire passengers affected by the British Airways cabin crew strikes should "sit tight" for the next 24 hours, travel agents said today.Shropshire passengers affected by the British Airways cabin crew strikes should "sit tight" for the next 24 hours, travel agents said today. Travellers from the county are among some of the hundreds of thousands who have booked flights with the airline over the 12 days of planned strikes. Telford travel agent Ros Walsh, from Travel Counsellors, said passengers should "stick it out" until more details are known. "I have loads of people travelling but thankfully not on British Airways. "But I have every sympathy with people who are trying to get away. My advice is to stick it out, because if passengers try to rebook, apart from finding there may be no availability, I don't think British Airways is going to be very sympathetic about refunds." Read more in the Shropshire Star

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British Airways planesShropshire passengers affected by the British Airways cabin crew strikes should "sit tight" for the next 24 hours, travel agents said today.

Travellers from the county are among some of the hundreds of thousands who have booked flights with the airline over the 12 days of planned strikes. Telford travel agent Ros Walsh, from Travel Counsellors, said passengers should "stick it out" until more details are known.

"I have loads of people travelling but thankfully not on British Airways.

"But I have every sympathy with people who are trying to get away. My advice is to stick it out, because if passengers try to rebook, apart from finding there may be no availability, I don't think British Airways is going to be very sympathetic about refunds."

Frances Tuke, of Abta, said it was possible strike action could still be averted as negotiations took place between unions and British Airways bosses.

"At this stage, our advice would be to sit tight and see what happens in the next 24 hours," said Ms Tuke.

Terry Jones, of South Shropshire-based Terry Jones Travel, said his company had taken action weeks ago to avoid any problems for customers in the event of a British Airways strike.

"When the possibility of strikes was announced back in early November, we made a conscious decision not to really consider or book British Airways over the Christmas and New Year period."

Ian Bates, of World Choice Travel in Shrewsbury, said passengers booked with British Airways should keep checking the airline's website for up-to-date details.

"We are quite lucky as we don't have anyone booked with British Airways although we are expecting calls this morning from passengers who may want us to help them change airlines."

Meanwhile, a teenage international ice hockey star from the county is hoping the strikes will not ruin her chances of taking part in a tournament in Italy.

Saffron Allen, 14, of Broseley, is due to fly out with the England under-15s on December 27 with British Airways for a three-day tournament in Milan. Her dad Kerry, who is meant to be flying with her, shelled out £900 for flights and accommodation and said the family was in limbo.

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