With the BA cabin crew union Unite threatening strikes in the seven days leading up to Easter, air travel plans for hundreds of thousands of holidaymakers have been thrown into disarray. At the same time, maintenance crew and signal staff are also expected to walk off the job creating further turmoil for the public, many of whom have been eagerly planning ahead for an Easter vacation after spending 2009 at home as the recession impacted across the board.

So critical to the country is the air travel industry that Prime Minister Gordon Brown has gone public in his condemnation of the union action, an almost unheard of intervention by a government leader in a British industrial dispute. Elsewhere, the expected Network Rail staff strike would significantly impact upon services and safety across the country, despite pledges from Network Rail that it would be drafting in supervisors and managers of striking maintenance and signal crews to cover the staffing shortfall.

Both striking groups are protesting against changes to work practices by their bosses. with BA cabin crew still mired in a dispute which has been ongoing since last November, when the airline announced a reduction of staffing numbers on most of its aircraft. The airline also announced wage and job cuts to help it keep afloat in the face of the economic crisis, much as has Network Rail. The train operator is at odds with its union over similar job and wage cuts, but also changes to working conditions that the union claims would result in severe breaches of customer and staff safety. The union has been highly critical of the standard of Network Rail trains, many of which feature mechanics dating back almost to the steam age the group claims.

The BA cabin crew strike could see up to 12,000 staff walk off the job, while up to 10,000 maintenance and signal crew are believed to be considering the strike by Netwrok Rail. With car hire prices skyrocketing in the wake of huge demand and low fleet numbers, the last thing the travel industry or the British public needs are further disruptions to their much-anticipated holidays. This week looms as a landmark one for UK travel and one which will have lasting ramifications.

Visitors are drawn to the cities sights, nightlife, museums, theatres, parks and activities. Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: “London is a fantastic city to visit at any time of year.” and “As well as museums, galleries and iconic attractions that are among the greatest in the world, we’ve unrivalled theatre and world class performance.

Johnson also stressed that London offers good value to visitors with entries to many museums and galleries free and a wide range of outdoor free performances. Thus families can enjoy activities together in London without breaking the bank.

The second most popular destination with Britons for a weeks break at home was the Lake district with Brighton coming in third. Anthony Chmarny, from Garmin, which spoke to 4,000 people as part of the survey, said: “This poll certainly seems to suggest that people are attracted to the culture of British cities.”

“Perhaps people are fed up with the mad rush southbound as the whole country travels to the scenic beaches of Devon and Cornwall.”

Thanks to the Evening Standard for the above quotes.

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