Emirates cancels two UK flights

Emirates airline, the world’s largest international airline, today announced it was cancelling two flights to UK on Wednesday, November 30, in response to the biggest day of strike action in more than 30 years, over public sector pensions.

The Dubai-based airline said the strike actions, in which the UK border agency staff at all UK airports will be participating, is expected to result in serious disruption and delays of flights.

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Etihad cancels three flights to UK

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“Due to the announced strike of the UK Border Control Authority at all UK airports on the 30th November there will likely be significant disruption and extensive delays for arriving and departing passengers in and out of the UK,” Emirates said in an operational update.

The airline said that EK029, from Dubai to London Heathrow on November 30, and EK030, its return leg scheduled for the same day, have been cancelled. Emirate also “strongly advised” passengers of other UK flights on the day “to consider alternate travel days,” advising passengers to check the flight tracker before heading to the airport.

Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi’s Etihad had earlier today announced the cancellation of three flights on Wednesday.
The cancelled Etihad flights are EY017 and EY019 from Abu Dhabi to London Heathrow, and EY020 from London Heathrow to Abu Dhabi.

“Three Etihad flights have been cancelled to spare the airline’s guests the expected disruption in Heathrow airport and the long delays in waiting to clear immigration,” Etihad said in a statement, adding that “[a]uthorities predict these [delays] could last up to 12 hours.”

Etihad added that, at the request of authorities at London Heathrow airport, flight EY011 from Abu Dhabi to London Heathrow will operate, but with reduced passenger capacity. “Meanwhile flights to Manchester will operate as scheduled,” it added.