‘Irrational and unacceptable’: Angry airline refuses to cut flights from Heathrow | Business newsletter

Emirates has refused an order from Heathrow that it must cancel flights to and from west London airport to comply with the number of passengers.

The Dubai-based carrier said on Wednesday it had 36 hours to comply with Heathrow’s order, as the airport tries to ensure it can operate without additional traveling delay in the summer tourist peak.

Airlines and airports globally have struggled to cope with high demand this year after the lifting of travel restrictions due to the pandemic, due to staff shortages.

Emirates, which operates six daily flights between Dubai and Heathrow alone, said: “LHR [London Heathrow] Last night gave us 36 hours to comply with capacity cuts, a number that appears to be taken from the thin air.

“Their communications not only dictate the specific flights for which we should remove paying passengers, but also threaten legal action if they don’t comply.

“This is completely absurd and unacceptable, and we reject these requests.”

It added: “Until further notice, Emirates plans to operate as scheduled to and from the LHR.”

Heathrow announced this week that although airlines have cut flights – many follow government amnesty – it was impose its own cap that would cap passenger numbers at 100,000 per day until mid-September.

It equates to a cut of 4,000 passengers.

Heathrow has also begged its airline “partners” to stop selling additional tickets to help that effort and minimize the impact on passengers and their own operations.

Demand has caused a angry reaction from airlines, with the head of an industry body accusing Heathrow of trying to maximize its profits at their expense.

That opinion was echoed by Virgin Atlantic while BA, which made the most of the amnesty, responded by agreeing to cut six more daily short-haul flights.

Emirates added: “The bottom line is, the LHR management team is cavalier about their airline’s travelers and customers.

“All the signals of a strong recovery in tourism are there and for months Emirates has spoken out publicly on the matter.

“We have planned ahead to achieve customer readiness and travel needs, including the re-hire and training of 1,000 A380 pilots over the past year.

“LHR has decided not to act, not to plan, not to invest. Now, facing an ‘airmageddon’ situation of incompetence and inaction, they are pushing the full burden – costs and lives. scrambling to sort out the mess – for airlines and travelers.

“London Heathrow shareholders should scrutinize the decisions of the LHR management team.”

Heathrow has been contacted for comment.