More Heathrow flights cancelled and airlines under fire

There’s more bad news for the aviation sector too, with reports airlines could be “breaking the law” in the way they are currently treating passengers over flight cancellations.

Elsewhere, economic news continues to be grim with high inflation set to last longer in the UK than other countries, while business confidence is also slumping.

Here are the less-than-positive national press headlines travel woke up to on Thursday (30 June).

Heathrow airport announces more flight cancellations

Heathrow has asked airlines to remove 30 flights from Thursday’s schedule as it struggles to deal with rising passenger numbers. The airport said the cancellations were necessary for both safety and to ensure as many passengers as possible can catch their flights. (BBC News)

Airlines ‘potentially breaking law’ over flight cancellations

Consumer group Which? has claimed that airlines flying to and from the UK are “potentially breaking the law with unfair and misleading terms and conditions”. Which? is calling for an overhaul of current rules so that carriers are held to account when they treat customers badly. (The Independent)

UK set to suffer from higher inflation for longer

Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey has warned that the UK economy is suffering more from the energy crisis than other countries, with inflation likely to lead to a further rise in interest rates later this summer. (Financial Times)

Corporate confidence hits 15-month low

Business confidence has fallen to a 15-month low as soaring inflation and the cost-of-living squeeze puts pressure on companies. Corporate sentiment dropped this month to its lowest level since March 2021, when the UK economy was emerging from a second wave of Covid-19. (The Times)

Holiday homes face snap inspections

People owning holiday homes in England could face “surprise” spot checks on their properties under plans for a crackdown on the short-term rental market being considered by the UK government. (The Telegraph)

Luggage piles join long airport queues in fresh woes for summer travel

Piles of luggage beside baggage belts in airports across Europe and North America are driving further demand for ground handlers, as airlines scramble to bring recruit more workers ahead of the summer peak travel period. (Reuters)