Short BA strikes will cause 'maximum disruption'

Advantage boss Norman Gage has warned the British Airways cabin crew's decision to strike for three days from 20 March and for four days from 27 March will cause "maximum disruption".

The director of business travel said the short strikes would cause more trouble for the trade than a longer walkout. "Doing it this way will cause more disruption. If it was a week or two weeks that would make it easier to blend in other aircraft. The short strike will be more difficult to manage."

Gage said Advantage Focus, the consortium's business travel division, had been in talks with the airline in a bid to improve its communication with the trade.

"We have had conversations with BA about changes to their practices. BA has looked at how it communicates with the trade.

"We have asked them to update information for agents when they change flight times or make cancellations. We have also asked them to set up a hotline just to deal with strike calls so that they take preference.

"They are listening to us but it remains to be seen whether those things will be done."