Get ready for another round of service disruptions at British Airways. The Unite union has threatened more walkouts for May and June which will cause more chaos for BA flyers.

The union representing British Airways cabin crew has threatened to walk out for a total of 20 days. The Unite union will begin action against the airline from 18 May through 22 May and then stage a series of 5-day walkouts on 24-28 May, 30 May - 3 June, and 5-9 June. As the summer travel season gets into full swing, it looks as though the grounding of flights may not be the sole work of Mother Nature this time.

BA plans to keep its scheduled long haul flights, particularly from London Heathrow. The airlines says that flights from London Gatwick and London City airports would be unaffected. BA plans to announce its schedule for Heathrow Airport at least 5 days before any strike action.

British Airways says that it is negotiating with other airlines about leasing aircraft for its short haul flights. The airline is also looking to secure seats from other carriers to protect passengers whose flights are cancelled due to the strike.

BA estimated the seven days of walkouts in March cost it GBP£45 million and that last month's volcano ash-related disruption cost it around GBP£20 million a day in revenue. The Unite union has rejected contract offers from the airline as the dispute over wage and working conditions continues.

Some options for passengers affected by the strike:

• Rebooking on to another BA flight to the same destination within 355 days of the original date of travel
• Flying on another BA flight to or from the nearest alternative airport
• Rebooking onto an agreed alternative airline, subject to availability
• Cancelling the booking and getting a refund

BA will provide more details about the strike on its web site.

Source: BBC