London’s second-busiest airport said Friday it would limit
its number of daily flights to 825 in July and 850 in August compared with a
reported 900 daily flights during the same period before the coronavirus
pandemic.
The airport said in a statement that the move would help
passengers “experience a more reliable and better standard of service.”
“By taking decisive action now, we aim to help the ground
handlers — and also our airlines — to better match their flying programs with
their available resources,” said Gatwick chief executive Stewart Wingate.
Passengers have endured delays and cancellations as airports
across Europe struggle to cope with staff shortages and skyrocketing demand for
flights after two pandemic-hit years. Airlines and baggage-handling firms that
laid off staff during the pandemic are scrambling to boost numbers again.
Travelers in Britain suffered days of airport delays during
the Easter school holidays in April and Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee
long weekend this month, with British Airways and easyJet canceling hundreds of
flights. Hours-long lines built up at British airport check-in, security and
baggage points.
Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport has also slashed its flight
schedule for July, saying shortages of security staff mean it can’t cope with
the high demand as many families take to the skies for the first time since the
coronavirus pandemic has eased.