Air India has cancelled four flights to London tomorrow due to a nationwide general strike by several British unions while Jet Airways advised its passengers travelling to the UK to rebook their flights to avoid any inconvenience.
The scheduled flights cancelled by Air India are: Amritsar-Delhi-London (AI-115), London-Delhi (AI-116), Delhi-London (AI-111) and London-Delhi (AI-112), an AI spokesperson said today.
A Jet spokesperson clarified that its flights were not being cancelled and that it had only given an advisory to the airline’s passengers.
A Jet statement said that due to the 24-hour industrial action by public sector unions, including the UK Border Agency staff, the airline has “advised guests travelling into UK on November 30 to rebook their flights to avoid any inconvenience and immigration delays at London Heathrow airport.”
It said the Civil Aviation Authority of the UK has informed all airlines that the strike would impact the incoming flights and could result in extended delays.
Jet advised its passengers to rebook their flights to a later date between December 1—7, the statement said. The private carrier operates three daily Boeing 777 flights from India to UK — two from Mumbai and one from Delhi.
Over a million public sector employees of Britain, including teachers, have voted for the strike against planned pension reforms. Immigration officers at Heathrow and other UK airports are also expected to join the strike action.
The UK Border Agency has been scrambling to find replacement staff for passport and immigration checks in order to keep Britain’s borders safe.
Tourist attractions, transport links, schools, colleges, libraries and funeral services are also likely to be affected, according to reports.