My Holiday Expert

British Airways has claimed it will fly more than 75% of its customers during the next four-day strike which starts tomorrow.

About 240,000 customers are booked to travel with the airline, which estimates 180,000 will be able to borad their flights.

A further 18% have been rebooked to fly with other carriers, while “several thousand” customers have brought forward their departure dates to today.

The airline is confident it will fly a full normal schedule from both Gatwick and London City airports while at Heathrow 70% of long haul flights and 55% of short haul flights are expected to fly.

BA chief executive Willie Walsh said: “I am delighted that we will be able to fly such a large proportion of our customers to their chosen destinations in the coming days.

“The vast majority of British Airways staff, including thousands of cabin crew, are pulling together to serve our customers and keep our flag flying.

“At the same time, I feel really sorry for those customers whose plans have been ruined by Unite’s completely unjustified action. Despite the union’s promises, this strike has affected the Easter holiday plans of thousands of hardworking people.”

The airline has claimed nearly 60% of cabin crew ignored the first strike and reported for work.

Unite, which represents the striking cabin crew, claimed the airline had to resort to running ghost flights to keep services going.

Walsh has also won the backing of Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary over his handling of the strike.