Menzies strike at Heathrow in Feb 2022

[trueneutral]

I have just heard about strike action that is about to happen at Heathrow Airport during the February half term on a date I am due to depart. Wondering what is the best course of action to do in this case? I very much would like to go and am thinking of switching to a Gatwick departure instead.

https://www.unitetheunion.org/news-events/news/2022/january/british-airways-and-heathrow-airlines-facing-half-term-chaos-as-refuellers-and-ground-handlers-announce-strike-action/

[Rob]

Good luck finding a seat, yet alone an affordable seat, on an airline now for travel over half term. Bookings seems to have gone crazy, especially to ski resorts, as restrictions have been lifted.

Nothing stops you taking a BA FTV and paying cash for an easyJet etc flight though.

[trueneutral]

Thanks Rob. From your long time traveling experience, how big of a deal is this strike? I don’t see it being covered widely apart from the daily mail.

[Rhys]

BA uses Menzies to tank its aircraft. On short haul this is manageable – just fill up at the other end – so likely to cause more problems on long haul. Not sure what they are doing to minimise the impact. Not clear if Swissport could pick up the slack.

[trueneutral]

Thanks both for your responses. It will be LHR-BCN so hopefully not an issue. Will sit tight, show up at the airport with my ticket and hope for the best…

I imagine this is of interest to the wider HfP community who are travelling over half term!