Airport News
Airports could close over strike action
Mon, 15 Jun, 2009
Air travel staff are threatening to strike in a dispute over pay.
BAA told unions that it did not have enough money to give pay rises, according to the Daily Mirror.
But after union heads agreed on a pay freeze for 4,000 workers, it was discovered that a £1.3 million dividend was issued to shareholders by BAA's owner, Spanish firm Ferrovial.
A source for Unite union told the paper that it was possible workers would strike, saying they were "disgusted".
BAA said that discussions were "private and ongoing", adding that there is a "sustained difficult period" for the aviation sector.
All seven BAA airports, including Heathrow, Stansted, Gatwick and Edinburgh, could close if there is a strike.
Meanwhile, a Civil Aviation Authority report has found that airport punctuality has improved in the UK.
It said that 81 per cent of flights took off or landed on time from January to March.
During the same period in 2008, the figure was 70 per cent.