This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/7607633.stm
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Ryanair cancels Edinburgh flights | Ryanair cancels Edinburgh flights |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Low-cost airline Ryanair has been forced to cancel flights from its new Edinburgh base for the next six weeks because of strike action at Boeing. | Low-cost airline Ryanair has been forced to cancel flights from its new Edinburgh base for the next six weeks because of strike action at Boeing. |
Ryanair said the strike meant US aircraft manufacturers Boeing was unable to deliver two 737 planes it purchased to operate on the new routes. | Ryanair said the strike meant US aircraft manufacturers Boeing was unable to deliver two 737 planes it purchased to operate on the new routes. |
Passengers booked to fly from Edinburgh on any of 11 new routes will be given a refund. | Passengers booked to fly from Edinburgh on any of 11 new routes will be given a refund. |
Ryanair said it now hoped to start flying from Edinburgh on 5 November. | Ryanair said it now hoped to start flying from Edinburgh on 5 November. |
Robert Hendry, 40, an Edinburgh computer programmer who was due to fly to Berlin on 26 September to take part in the Berlin Marathon, said: "It's just typical of Ryanair, blaming someone else and offering no assistance in making alternative arrangements." The worse thing about it was that Ryanair just sent me the e-mail telling me the flight was cancelled but they didn't offer any alternatives whatsoever Pete BurbanksRyanair passenger | |
Pete Burbanks, 41, an Edinburgh business analyst who is also taking part in the marathon, said he was left in a "nightmare" situation trying to arrange transport to Berlin. | |
"I'm ending up trying to get transport two and a half weeks before the marathon," he said. "I've been training for four months now and all of a sudden I'm scrabbling around for other flights or trains even. | |
"The worse thing about it was that Ryanair just sent me the e-mail telling me the flight was cancelled but they didn't offer any alternatives whatsoever. It's just not good enough". | |
Deputy chief executive, Michael Cawley, expressed his "sincere regret" at the postponement to the opening of the new base. | Deputy chief executive, Michael Cawley, expressed his "sincere regret" at the postponement to the opening of the new base. |
He added: "Unfortunately the two new aircraft, which we had reserved for this purpose, are now indefinitely delayed due to a strike by Boeing employees. | He added: "Unfortunately the two new aircraft, which we had reserved for this purpose, are now indefinitely delayed due to a strike by Boeing employees. |
"However, due to increased aircraft available in our fleet from early November, we will be able to operate these exciting new Edinburgh routes from 5th November." | "However, due to increased aircraft available in our fleet from early November, we will be able to operate these exciting new Edinburgh routes from 5th November." |
Spare parts | |
Passengers who were booked to travel on the new routes during the initial six-week period will be refunded over the next seven days, according to Ryanair. | Passengers who were booked to travel on the new routes during the initial six-week period will be refunded over the next seven days, according to Ryanair. |
Eleven routes from Edinburgh are affected, including flights to Malaga, Bournemouth, Palma and Krakow. | Eleven routes from Edinburgh are affected, including flights to Malaga, Bournemouth, Palma and Krakow. |
Mr Cawley added: "We sincerely apologise to all our passengers for the inconvenience caused by this forced change to our schedule." | Mr Cawley added: "We sincerely apologise to all our passengers for the inconvenience caused by this forced change to our schedule." |
The strike by almost 27,000 Boeing machinists started on Saturday. | The strike by almost 27,000 Boeing machinists started on Saturday. |
A statement released by Boeing on Friday said: "The company will continue delivering aeroplanes that were completed prior to the strike, and will continue providing customers with spare parts. | A statement released by Boeing on Friday said: "The company will continue delivering aeroplanes that were completed prior to the strike, and will continue providing customers with spare parts. |
"Boeing does not intend to assemble aeroplanes during the strike." | "Boeing does not intend to assemble aeroplanes during the strike." |
Previous version
1
Next version