BA offers tea, water and apologies on flights from London
Hundreds of weary and hungry Hong Kong passengers on strike-hit British Airways flights arrived at Chek Lap Kok yesterday after an 11-hour trip from London, with only tea and water available on board.
They were among nearly 2,000 Hongkongers left in limbo during three days of disruption caused by an industrial dispute involving Gate Gourmet, which provides BA's in-flight meals, duty-free products and alcoholic drinks.
Passengers who arrived on two BA flights in Hong Kong said the chaos had ruined their holiday or forced them to cut short their stay.
Talks are under way to solve the dispute, which grounded the airline's entire fleet. Most of the BA ground staff who stopped work in sympathy with sacked catering workers are now back at work.
But that was little consolation for Betty Leung Pui-chin, who returned on BA031.
'For the 11 hours on board, there were no meals at all, only tea and water were served. We had been told to bring our own food,' Ms Leung said. She had been stranded at Heathrow Airport for six hours with three relatives.
Last night a BA spokeswoman in London said none of the airline's flights had food on board.
'Due to the ongoing dispute, our caterer was unable to meet their obligations,' she said. 'We cannot have meals on board unless they are in proper chillers. These are provided by Gate Gourmet.
'We tried to tell passengers by text message or e-mail that there would be no food on board, and we did offer vouchers and 'deli bags', but they were limited.'
She apologised to passengers and did not rule out compensation.
Some passengers said they felt lucky to catch a flight home. Others warned they may fly with other airlines in future.
Flight BA031, which arrived at 4.13pm, was the first Hong Kong-bound British Airways flight since a partial service resumed.
Yesterday BA cancelled all three London-bound flights and one Hong Kong-bound flight.
'The strike really spoiled my holiday. I may choose other airlines if I plan to visit the UK in future,' said Ms Leung.
Tourist Susan Crowland said she was forced to cut short her stay in Hong Kong due to the strike.
'We were supposed to arrive in Hong Kong yesterday and spend two nights here before we fly to Sydney tomorrow ... I'd hope we are going to get compensation for the loss [of one night's hotel], but we were lucky [to get on the flight].'
Hong Kong student Laura Murphy, who went to London for a holiday, said: 'I thought that I was not going to get on the flight ... I probably won't take British Airways next time.'
