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British Airways to rebook or refund 70,000 passengers
London: British Airways has pledged to rebook or refund all 70,000 passengers, stranded at Heathrow as a result of a walk out by baggage handlers and loading staff. The airline said that compensation would be looked at on "a case by case" basis.

However, an element of uncertainty has been introduced into the affair thanks to new EU regulations introduced in February this year, which says that an airline is not obliged to pay compensation if it can prove the cancellation was caused by "extraordinary circumstances".

According to the Air Transport Users Council, such extraordinary circumstances might occur in the case of "strikes that affect the operation of an operating air carrier". BA said those whose flights were cancelled could rebook on another BA flight to either their original destination or to an alternative destination subject to availability.

If passengers did not now wish to travel they could claim a refund, the airline said.

BA cancelled 121 flights on thursday and if there are no services on Friday it will mean that another 550 flights will have been axed.
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