This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/61660238

The article has changed 15 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Why are so many flights being cancelled? Why are so many flights being cancelled?
(8 days later)
Flight cancellations and airport delays are expected to continue over the next few months, and could affect summer holiday plans. Flight cancellations and airport delays are expected to continue over the next few months, affecting summer holiday plans.
Thousands of passengers were left stranded abroad after more disruption over the Jubilee weekend. Airlines have been told to cancel the flights they won't be able to deliver now, to avoid a return to the chaos seen in May and June.
One of the main issues is staff shortages, although the government and industry disagree about who is to blame for the problem.One of the main issues is staff shortages, although the government and industry disagree about who is to blame for the problem.
What are my rights if my flight is cancelled?
How bad are the staff shortages?How bad are the staff shortages?
Covid restrictions in the UK and across the globe were hugely challenging for the travel industry.Covid restrictions in the UK and across the globe were hugely challenging for the travel industry.
Airlines UK, the industry body for airlines registered here, said airlines have cut about 30,000 jobs since the start of the pandemic, having previously employed 74,000 people in 2019. Airlines UK, the industry body for airlines registered here, said airlines have cut about 30,000 jobs since the start of the pandemic, having employed 74,000 people in 2019.
Thousands of jobs were also cut from airports and aviation support activities, which used to employ another 66,000 people. Thousands of jobs have also been cut from airports and aviation support activities, which used to employ another 66,000 people.
In June 2020, for example, Swissport, which had about 8,500 staff at UK airports - including baggage handlers and security personnel - announced it would halve its workforce.In June 2020, for example, Swissport, which had about 8,500 staff at UK airports - including baggage handlers and security personnel - announced it would halve its workforce.
The company has hired 2,800 people since January, but 1,200 of them still don't have full security clearance, which limits the duties they can carry out.
Unions have also said that many previous airport staff who were laid off after the start of the pandemic have since taken jobs in other sectors.Unions have also said that many previous airport staff who were laid off after the start of the pandemic have since taken jobs in other sectors.
The Office for National Statistics said that there were a record 1,295,000 job vacancies in the UK between February and April 2022.The Office for National Statistics said that there were a record 1,295,000 job vacancies in the UK between February and April 2022.
Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary also pointed out that Brexit has made it harder for the industry to bring in European workers to fill gaps.Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary also pointed out that Brexit has made it harder for the industry to bring in European workers to fill gaps.
What's happening about vetting?What's happening about vetting?
Airport staff need security clearance from both the Civil Aviation Authority and the government to be able to do their jobs.Airport staff need security clearance from both the Civil Aviation Authority and the government to be able to do their jobs.
There have been reports that the vetting process has been taking considerably longer than the usual 14 weeks. There have been reports that the vetting process has been taking considerably longer than usual.
EasyJet has cancelled dozens of flights in the last week Swissport's UK boss, Jude Winstanley, said the company has hired 3,000 people since January, but many of them still don't have full security clearance, which limits the duties they can carry out.
However, the Cabinet Office insisted this was not true, telling BBC News: "There are absolutely no delays to security vetting of applicants. EasyJet has cancelled dozens of flights in recent weeks
However, the Cabinet Office told BBC News: "There are absolutely no delays to security vetting of applicants.
"It is wrong to suggest otherwise, and we are prioritising vetting applications from the aviation industry.""It is wrong to suggest otherwise, and we are prioritising vetting applications from the aviation industry."
The government did change the rules at the end of April to allow new staff to receive training while waiting for their final clearance.The government did change the rules at the end of April to allow new staff to receive training while waiting for their final clearance.
Did anyone see these problems coming?Did anyone see these problems coming?
Demand for travel has grown sharply since final restrictions for passengers entering the UK were lifted on 18 March.Demand for travel has grown sharply since final restrictions for passengers entering the UK were lifted on 18 March.
The TUC has accused the government of failing to properly prepare the airline industry for the end of lockdown.The TUC has accused the government of failing to properly prepare the airline industry for the end of lockdown.
The government said its ministers met with industry leaders before half-term to ensure that they were ready.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps accused airlines and operators of "seriously [overselling] flights and holidays".Transport Secretary Grant Shapps accused airlines and operators of "seriously [overselling] flights and holidays".
But the Conservative MP Huw Merriman, chairman of the Transport Select Committee, told the BBC that airlines have an obligation to fill 70% of their airport slots or risk losing them.But the Conservative MP Huw Merriman, chairman of the Transport Select Committee, told the BBC that airlines have an obligation to fill 70% of their airport slots or risk losing them.
He said they have no choice but to try to operate at these levels, despite the staffing pressures.He said they have no choice but to try to operate at these levels, despite the staffing pressures.
Gemma Antrobus, who chairs the Association of Independent Tour Operators, also rejected the government's criticism, blaming a lack of sector-specific support since the start of the pandemic. Gemma Antrobus from the Association of Independent Tour Operators blamed a lack of sector-specific support since the start of the pandemic:
"Getting back to those levels of staffing, of training, is not as quick and as simple as just a flick of a light switch.""Getting back to those levels of staffing, of training, is not as quick and as simple as just a flick of a light switch."
Shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh said ministers and industry also have to address "chronic low pay" in the sector. Shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh said ministers and industry must also address "chronic low pay" in the sector.
The government said it had given £8bn of support to the industry during the pandemic.The government said it had given £8bn of support to the industry during the pandemic.
This included help under the furlough scheme, loan guarantees and the Airport and Ground Operations Support Scheme, which offered £4m grants to airports and companies providing them with services such as maintenance and cleaning.This included help under the furlough scheme, loan guarantees and the Airport and Ground Operations Support Scheme, which offered £4m grants to airports and companies providing them with services such as maintenance and cleaning.
How long will the problems last? When will things improve?
Airlines warned after disruption at Easter that the situation wasn't likely to improve for some time. According to the aviation regulator, up to 4% of UK flights were cancelled during half term and the Platinum Jubilee weekend - compared to the usual rate of 1%.
According to aviation data firm Cirium, 305 of the 10,662 scheduled flights due to take place over the Jubilee weekend were cancelled. Airlines and unions have told MPs on the Commons Business Committee that the problems are likely to continue this summer.
This was particularly challenging for some families who were trying to return to the UK in time for pupils to sit their GCSEs. Advantage Travel Partnership - a network of travel agents - said 30% of its members are already fielding calls from holidaymakers concerned about future bookings.
The industry now has less than two months to prepare for the crucial summer holiday period. In a joint letter, the government and the regulator have now warned airlines to ensure their summer timetables are "deliverable".
Companies will be able to recruit and train extra staff in this time, but Advantage Travel Partnership - a network of travel agents - said 30% of its members are already fielding calls from holidaymakers concerned about future bookings. If they are not, it says flights should be cancelled as soon as possible, to avoid large-scale last-minute cancellations.
One advantage of the summer break is that the travel peak is not limited to a single week, as happens at half-term, so delays may not be as bad. Firms were also told to make sure customers were kept informed about their rights during any disruption.
Cancelled flights fuel summer holiday fears What are my rights if my flight is cancelled?
Are other countries having similar issues?Are other countries having similar issues?
Disruption is not limited to the UK.Disruption is not limited to the UK.
There have also been problems at other European airports because of staff shortages in recent weeks, including Amsterdam's Schiphol and also Dublin.There have also been problems at other European airports because of staff shortages in recent weeks, including Amsterdam's Schiphol and also Dublin.
There were large queues at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport on 4 June after KLM temporarily paused flights from other European destinationsThere were large queues at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport on 4 June after KLM temporarily paused flights from other European destinations
However, Health Secretary Sajid Javid questioned why other major European countries like Germany and Italy hadn't seen the same scale of problems as the UK.However, Health Secretary Sajid Javid questioned why other major European countries like Germany and Italy hadn't seen the same scale of problems as the UK.
He said it was "about time the industry took some more responsibility for sorting its own challenges out".He said it was "about time the industry took some more responsibility for sorting its own challenges out".
What claims do you want BBC Reality Check to investigate? Get in touchWhat claims do you want BBC Reality Check to investigate? Get in touch
Read more from Reality CheckRead more from Reality Check