EUROPE – UK buyers attending the Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) show EIBTM in Barcelona this week are facing problems for a second year following a public sector strike set to cause major delays to air travel from and into the UK.
RTE, which suffered a similar setback last year with travel plans disrupted by strikes and bad weather, is reassuring 250 buyers travelling on 30 November by air that contingency plans are in place to assist them.
EIBTM show director Graeme Barnett said: "UK hosted buyers with flights booked returning to the UK from Barcelona on Wednesday will be offered the option of an earlier flight on the Tuesday evening, or alternatively EIBTM will provide complimentary accommodation for the Wednesday evening at the Renaissance Barcelona Airport Hotel and a complimentary return flight on Thursday 1 December on the EIBTM Gatwick charter flight".
Heavier than usual delays at passport control are likely and British Airways has some seats available on 27, 28 or 29 November or 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 December for customers able to change.
An RTE statement added: “Hosted buyers should continue with their plans for travel to Barcelona. We are working closely with our partners in the UK, the airlines, airports and those on the ground in Barcelona, and if there is any change to the situation we will be in touch with those affected”. The company added that this year at least there has been time to work on the problem: “Last year was not comparable - the conditions were totally unpredictable and affected Europe as a whole.”
Meanwhile, Cathay Pacific Airways has called on passengers who have booked flights scheduled to arrive in or depart from London on 30 November to postpone their travel due to the anticipated industrial action by public sector workers, including the UK Border Agency.
An airline spokesperson said: "Customers may experience prolonged delays awaiting immigration processing and there may even be the possibility of flight diversions".
The airline will waive all rebooking charges for tickets issued on or before 25 November for its Hong Kong London flights on 30 November.
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