10 January 2011
The second largest long– haul carrier at Heathrow, Virgin Atlantic Airways, has stated that it will halt payments to the airport operator BAA Ltd until an inquiry into disruption caused by wintry weather in December 2010 is completed.
The airline has reported that it is paying out millions of pounds in refunds after snowfall on 18 December 2010 prompted BAA Ltd to scrap flights for four days in the run up to Christmas, and aims to encourage BAA Ltd o expedite an internal probe into the closure.
BAA Ltd has responded stating that while the airport operator will work with airlines during the probe, led by Non-Executive Director, David Begg, Heathrow’s conditions of use do not provide any basis for Virgin Atlantic to withhold landing and parking payments.
Virgin Atlantic estimates that the disruption cost the airline £10 million.