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| Second BA strike disrupts flights | Second BA strike disrupts flights |
| (about 12 hours later) | |
| British Airways has cancelled almost a hundred flights from Heathrow during the first day of a second weekend of strike action by cabin crew. | |
| But BA hopes to fly three-quarters of its passengers through the four-day strike, which began on Saturday. | But BA hopes to fly three-quarters of its passengers through the four-day strike, which began on Saturday. |
| In an online message, boss Willie Walsh said BA was doing "everything possible" to achieve that and was "absolutely committed to resolving this dispute". | In an online message, boss Willie Walsh said BA was doing "everything possible" to achieve that and was "absolutely committed to resolving this dispute". |
| The Unite union has warned industrial action could continue after Easter. | The Unite union has warned industrial action could continue after Easter. |
| BA and Unite are in dispute over the airline's cost-cutting plans, which include reducing the numbers of cabin crew on long-haul flights. | BA and Unite are in dispute over the airline's cost-cutting plans, which include reducing the numbers of cabin crew on long-haul flights. |
| ANALYSIS Joe Lynam, BBC business correspondent | ANALYSIS Joe Lynam, BBC business correspondent |
| Unite and its striking members will feel vindicated today when they read a leaked report in today's papers which suggested that an outside adviser to the airline had urged BA management last year to "hit the union where it hurts". | Unite and its striking members will feel vindicated today when they read a leaked report in today's papers which suggested that an outside adviser to the airline had urged BA management last year to "hit the union where it hurts". |
| While the company flatly rejected that that is its policy, the article - alongside Friday's letter from 116 academics, which accused BA of adopting "macho policies" - appears to chime with union concerns that it is in a battle for survival with a belligerent and motivated employer. | While the company flatly rejected that that is its policy, the article - alongside Friday's letter from 116 academics, which accused BA of adopting "macho policies" - appears to chime with union concerns that it is in a battle for survival with a belligerent and motivated employer. |
| Nonetheless the airline's tail - or tailfin - is up as it increases the number of planes flying from Heathrow compared to last weekend's strike, as well as reducing to 7% the total number of its customers which could not be accommodated either by it or rival airlines. | Nonetheless the airline's tail - or tailfin - is up as it increases the number of planes flying from Heathrow compared to last weekend's strike, as well as reducing to 7% the total number of its customers which could not be accommodated either by it or rival airlines. |
| The vast majority of cancellations were at Heathrow. | The vast majority of cancellations were at Heathrow. |
| Mr Walsh, in a video message posted on the BA website on Saturday evening, said he had spoken to customers at the airport's Terminal 5. | Mr Walsh, in a video message posted on the BA website on Saturday evening, said he had spoken to customers at the airport's Terminal 5. |
| "There were a lot of people around but you would expect that given that our schedule today is significantly more than we had planned last weekend." | "There were a lot of people around but you would expect that given that our schedule today is significantly more than we had planned last weekend." |
| He said there had been "a good atmosphere over there - customers are still very happy, very pleased to be getting away, getting to their destinations". | He said there had been "a good atmosphere over there - customers are still very happy, very pleased to be getting away, getting to their destinations". |
| "At the same time, I am deeply sorry to those customers who have had their holidays and their plans disrupted." | "At the same time, I am deeply sorry to those customers who have had their holidays and their plans disrupted." |
| He said Gatwick was "operating as normal" while BA said its flights from London City airport had also been unaffected. | He said Gatwick was "operating as normal" while BA said its flights from London City airport had also been unaffected. |
| There have been a handful of cancellations at Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow airports. | There have been a handful of cancellations at Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow airports. |
| BBC correspondent Richard Slee said that, at Heathrow, about a quarter of BA departures had been cancelled up until late afternoon. | BBC correspondent Richard Slee said that, at Heathrow, about a quarter of BA departures had been cancelled up until late afternoon. |
| This compared with about half on Saturday evening. | This compared with about half on Saturday evening. |
| In total, the airline expects to cancel 93 out of approximately 270 departures from Heathrow on Saturday. | In total, the airline expects to cancel 93 out of approximately 270 departures from Heathrow on Saturday. |
| 'Biggest contingency' | 'Biggest contingency' |
| Unite, meanwhile, has said that, with no sign of agreement over changes to pay and conditions, further strike action after Easter is likely. | Unite, meanwhile, has said that, with no sign of agreement over changes to pay and conditions, further strike action after Easter is likely. |
| The union said six planes leaving from Heathrow were loaded with passengers then unloaded because no cabin crews were available, but BA denied the claim. | The union said six planes leaving from Heathrow were loaded with passengers then unloaded because no cabin crews were available, but BA denied the claim. |
| Passenger Jill Kelly: 'It's costing at least £1000 extra' | Passenger Jill Kelly: 'It's costing at least £1000 extra' |
| Unite also claimed BA had handed the operation of some European flights over to eight other operators. | Unite also claimed BA had handed the operation of some European flights over to eight other operators. |
| A spokesman for the airline said it had been "operating up to 55% of short-haul flights, up from 30% last strike period". | A spokesman for the airline said it had been "operating up to 55% of short-haul flights, up from 30% last strike period". |
| "The lion's share" of the flights had been on BA aircraft with fewer other aircraft leased than during last weekend's action, he added. | "The lion's share" of the flights had been on BA aircraft with fewer other aircraft leased than during last weekend's action, he added. |
| BA said it had deployed "the biggest contingency plan in our history" to try to limit the impact of the strikes. | BA said it had deployed "the biggest contingency plan in our history" to try to limit the impact of the strikes. |
| Despite those measures, it estimates that last week's three-day stoppage cost the company £21m. | Despite those measures, it estimates that last week's three-day stoppage cost the company £21m. |
| But Unite national officer Brian Boyd told the BBC some City analysts had estimated the seven days of action would cost BA about £105m. | But Unite national officer Brian Boyd told the BBC some City analysts had estimated the seven days of action would cost BA about £105m. |
| Meanwhile, BA has said that travel perks withdrawn from striking staff will never be reinstated. BA staff are able to buy flights for 10% of the face value - a deal that can be extended to friends and family. | Meanwhile, BA has said that travel perks withdrawn from striking staff will never be reinstated. BA staff are able to buy flights for 10% of the face value - a deal that can be extended to friends and family. |
| Steve Turner, Unite: "There will be no settlement without staff travel concessions having been returned" | Steve Turner, Unite: "There will be no settlement without staff travel concessions having been returned" |
| Unite called the withdrawal of the perks "unacceptable anti-union bullying". | Unite called the withdrawal of the perks "unacceptable anti-union bullying". |
| Unite's Steve Turner said the union was "absolutely crystal clear" there would be no settlement without staff travel concessions being returned. | Unite's Steve Turner said the union was "absolutely crystal clear" there would be no settlement without staff travel concessions being returned. |
| The union is seeking legal advice over the issue. | The union is seeking legal advice over the issue. |
| A BA spokesman said: "We are absolutely in compliance with the legislation. | A BA spokesman said: "We are absolutely in compliance with the legislation. |
| "Where a crew member has called in sick, they will have the opportunity to meet with their manager to explain the reasons. | "Where a crew member has called in sick, they will have the opportunity to meet with their manager to explain the reasons. |
| "The manager has the discretion to reinstate pay and staff travel." | "The manager has the discretion to reinstate pay and staff travel." |
| Analysts say BA needs to bring down its costs significantly. | Analysts say BA needs to bring down its costs significantly. |
| It is expected to announce the biggest loss in its privatised history when it reports its annual results later this year. | It is expected to announce the biggest loss in its privatised history when it reports its annual results later this year. |
| Last year it lost more than £400m. | Last year it lost more than £400m. |
| Will your travel plans be disrupted by the strike this weekend? Or are you a BA cabin crew member? You can send us your experiences using the form below: | Will your travel plans be disrupted by the strike this weekend? Or are you a BA cabin crew member? You can send us your experiences using the form below: |
| A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |