British Airways irked by Bush effect at Heathrow (40,000 delayed because of Shrub's trip)

[n2doc]

By Associated Press
5:39 AM CDT, June 24, 2008

LONDON - Nearly 40,000 travelers will remember U.S. President George W. Bush's stopover in London. Their flights were canceled or delayed at Heathrow Airport to accommodate him, according to British Airways.

BAA, the airport owner, confirmed Tuesday that 32 arrivals and 36 departures, mostly British Airways flights, were canceled June 15, when Bush arrived, and the following day, when he left. BAA had no figures on delays related to the president's visit.

The company said Heathrow typically handles 1,300 arrivals and departures per day.

"BAA, the airlines and other business partners at Heathrow did everything in their power to minimize disruption at the airport during George Bush's presidential visit," BAA said in a statement. "Despite our best efforts some disruption did occur, for which we apologize to passengers affected."


British Airways' chief executive, Willie Walsh, said the disruption was unnecessary.

"The decision to allow President Bush and his fleet of aircraft to fly into Heathrow rather than a military base was one all of Heathrow's users could have done without," Walsh said in the airline's employee news letter. "I am also angry that this was allowed."
http://www.chicagotribune.com/travel/sns-ap-britain-bush-heathrow,0,2227448.story

[Ian David]

1. I think Bush chose Heathrow rather than a military base because he wanted to get a haircut. n/t

[marmar]

2. Didn't Lufthansa sue the Bush Administration to recoup money it lost when he visited Germany?

n/t

[jimshoes]

3. If presidents were judged by the

amount of mayhem they caused, chimpy would be at the top of the list.

[rsmith6621]

4. What a Whimppy Airport

......Atlanta's Hartsfield KATL can handle 110 arrivals an hour 18 hours a day and they are configured the same way....Why didn't they have him land at Gatwick....

Anyhow bush is one big disruption anyhow.

[CanonRay]

5. Why doesn't he use a military base?

We're paying for the damn things all over the globe.