US flight chaos grows

Travellers in the United States are the latest victims of air chaos after safety checks have grounded hundreds of flights. The disruption follows chaotic scenes at London’s Heathrow airport which saw hundreds of passengers stranded after Terminal 5 came to a grinding halt when the baggage handling systems seized up. China has also see disruption recently after pilots refused to fly a number of dumber of domestic flights belonging to China Eastern.

At least 1000 passengers were affected in the southern Chinese province of Yunnan when pilots refused to fly after demanding better pay and conditions. But the industrial action, not often seen in China, has been condemned by authorities. The company has suspended 2 officials following the disruption which saw 21 pilots returning to airports after departing with packed planes. It left many passengers angry that their travel plans had been terminated [Xinhua].

In the US over 2500 flights have been cancelled in the last three days and prompted the chief executive of American Airlines to accept full responsibility for the chaos caused. The disruption resulted after safety checks on MD-80 aircraft were demanded by the FAA. Amid the continuing chaos one airline, Frontier Airlines, has filed for bankruptcy. At least 40,000 travellers have been left stranded at airports across the country [CNN].