Is my Sterling ticket worth anything?

Looks like my trip to Denmark next month is in danger!

We’re going to my sister’s and her husband’s 40th birthday party and had planned to fly from Gatwick to Billund in Denmark. Only, Sterling, the only airline that flies that route, is facing a pilot strike, which could mean the end of the airline. The pilots are demanding higher pay and better planning of holidays and time off. Negotiations have been ongoing for well over a year, but if the two parties do not reach an agreement at a final meeting this afternoon, the pilots will be on strike from this Thursday, 17 May 2007.

This coming Thursday and Friday are bank holidays in Denmark, and a pilot strike would put an end to many Danes’ plans for a long weekend away. But according to Sterling, a strike could be far more devastating than a few stranded Danes. The airline announced today that it would only be able to survive one or two days of strike, before it would have to declare itself bankrupt.

Union representatives on the other hand have announced that a pilot strike is very likely, as the two parties were nowhere near reaching an agreement before the final showdown this afternoon. They say that its pilot members have had enough and are prepared to remain on strike for quite some time, should it be needed.

So where does this leave me and the many other Sterling customers, who have bought tickets for future flights. Well, if Sterling does end up declaring itself bankrupt, I will of course lose my ticket. I will not be able get my money back either, unless my credit card company covers such a loss, which I will have to check. Worst of all though, I will not be able to make it to the birthday party, as no other airline flies that route.

Oh the joy of low-cost airlines! Bring back Mærsk Air, who used to fly this route before they merged with Sterling in 2005. They were not cheap, but they were reliable, and they always got me home for Christmas on time. In fact does any of you traditional airlines fancy opening a Gatwick to Billund route? As long as you’re reliable and provide a decent service I promise you my custom. No low-cost, cheating, you’re-lucky-we-can-be-bothered airline need apply!

Technorati Tags: travel, Sterling

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