Flights Direct

In just four days American Airlines has had to cancel almost 3,000 flights, as its MD-80 fleet had to be inspected for emergency security measures.

On the fourth day after starting the inspections to ensure the MD-80 complies with the  Federal Aviation Administration directive related to the bundling of wires in the wheel well of the MD-80 aircraft, 170 of the fleet were expected to be providing full service.

Wednesday April 9 AA had to cancel 1,094 flights, 930 on Thursday and today more than 500 flights were cancelled.

AA says it will give full refunds to all passengers on cancelled flights, or the possibility to use the value of their ticket towards future travel with airline.

The airline has apologized to all its customers for the inconvenience caused by the cancellations.

The British Airways has announced it will delay the full move to Terminal 5 until June. The airline was supposed to move all its long-haul flights and remaining short-haul flights to T5 on April 30.

The spaces BA was supposed to vacate on April 30 were to go to 54 other airlines, which are now facing major problems due to BA’s delay. Some airlines may seek compensation for costs they expect to have.

The ripple-effect from the BA delay has angered the airlines which have already been running campaign informing their passengers of the changes they were expecting to have. Many airlines have been planning to move to spaces vacated by BA for years.

Nigel Turner, bmi chief executive officer said: “The programme and timescale of changes was agreed in joint consultation with all airlines that are now geared up to undertake the moves as agreed.

“BAA and BA have shown a total disregard for all other airlines and their passengers at Heathrow in coming to this decision because of their own shortcomings and their inability to implement an agreed plan.”

The BA/BAA statement said: “BAA regrets this postponement, and we recognize the impact it has on other airlines, but we believe it is a wise precaution to ensure that passengers can have the maximum confidence once the move does take place.