Three British airlines – British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and EasyJet – intend to join forces and recover from the operator of British airports, British Airports Authority (BAA), compensation of 250 million pounds sterling ($400 million). BAA is a non-state company that owns seven British airports and operates ten foreign ones.
The carriers estimate their losses at that amount, which they incurred after the introduction of emergency security measures at British airports immediately after reports of the prevention of a series of terrorist attacks on air transport. According to airline representatives, BAA failed to ensure the normal operation of airports, particularly London's Heathrow and Gatwick, leading to huge queues at check-in and baggage screening points. In addition, more than 30% of international and domestic flights were canceled, and another portion of departures were delayed for a long time.
These claims are also shared by BMI British Midland (this carrier ranks second in number of flights at Heathrow after British Airways), which is now coordinating its actions with other carriers and will likely agree to join them against BAA. Another company, Ryanair, has already appealed to the UK Ministry of Transport with a request to reimburse part of its losses. Perhaps this is the only airline that acted more logically in this case by turning to the authorities for compensation.
According to some data, the figure of 250 million pounds was named by one of the high-ranking officials of the British aviation industry. According to his calculations, as a result of the critical situation that developed at Heathrow Airport over five days (from August 10 to 15), airlines lost 50 million pounds per day. And most of the losses fell on the leader of British passenger air transportation - British Airways. However, according to estimates by analysts at Collins Stewart, the airline's financial losses for those days did not exceed 50 million pounds. While Virgin Atlantic's losses are estimated at 15 million pounds, and EasyJet and Ryanair at 10 million pounds each. That is, in this case, the total figure of losses does not exceed 100 million pounds.
For now, it is clear that a 'substantive' conversation between the airlines and BAA is not happening. It is reported that British Airways director Willie Walsh had an 'unpleasant conversation' with BAA's executive director for Heathrow, Tony Douglas. British Airways is actively criticizing the operator in the press, as is the management of Ryanair.
Other carriers are more cautious in their statements. Virgin Atlantic calls for 'reasonable dialogue with BAA' to 'develop a mutually acceptable plan.' 'We are considering all possible options for compensation of these losses,' said airline representatives. Earlier, Virgin Atlantic's management stated that it expects from BAA 'effective action even in such emergency circumstances,' but does not intend to cover its unplanned losses at the expense of passengers.
EasyJet, which is considered a low-cost airline, said it would not refuse the opportunity to receive compensation from the operator. 'If we find a way to share our costs with the airport owner, we will do so,' noted EasyJet representatives. They emphasize that they will announce the exact figure of their costs in the near future.
Representatives of the operator company BAA itself have not yet made any official statements. They only say that in the coming days they will hold 'consultations on a number of important issues' with the management of the airlines. Obviously, the consultations will be difficult. First of all, this is because the exact, aggregate figure of the airlines' losses has not been determined (perhaps this will become a key topic of negotiations). It is possible that British Airways will present additional claims. The carrier announced that it, like many other airlines, has serious difficulties with baggage delivery. Thousands of suitcases and bags have been lost. Many of them have been forgotten at various airports, so the airline had to charter special cargo planes to deliver baggage to airports in the UK and Europe.
Probably, BAA will turn to the British authorities, in particular the UK Ministry of Transport, for help in resolving the dispute. After all, it was the ministry that introduced new rules for passenger screening at London airports. Earlier, the head of the operator company stated that the main thing is national security, so airlines should address their claims to the state. It is quite obvious that a private company will not pay out of its own pocket for actions that are within the competence of the British government.
Currently, most British airports are operating normally. Only the capital's Heathrow and Gatwick, according to BAA, began to ensure departures at 90% of their capacity by August 16, but flight delays there are still ongoing.
In addition, carriers consider unfair the situation when baggage rules and passenger screening procedures are changed only on 'American' routes, that is, for flights from the UK to the US and back. According to British Airways representatives, on other flights the restrictions are not as severe (especially regarding carry-on luggage), so potential terrorists could exploit them.
Roger Wiltshire, secretary of the British Air Transport Association, which unites 13 national airlines, stated that it is necessary to create unified international security standards at airports. A meeting of interior ministers of EU countries held in London on August 16 under the chairmanship of UK Home Secretary John Reid was dedicated to addressing this issue.
Ruslan Kadrmatov.
Lenta.ru