Azlan Othman
Bruneians travelling to the United Kingdom (UK) for holidays face uncertainty in their travel itineraries as rail workers and immigration officials plan strikes in the last week of this month.
Local traveller Nadya, who is with her two siblings heading to the UK for a long-awaited holiday, said they may choose to travel before or after the train strike to avoid disruptions.
She said she was informed that officers at the train station will contact them as soon as they are aware of the details of changes to their train and if it is cancelled.
They will be able to use their ticket on another train or have up to 28 days after the date of their journey to request a full refund, she said the officers at the station told them.
Meanwhile, Bruneian traveller Hajah Natul and her family of four also on holiday to the UK said they were informed by their airline that they may face longer waiting times at UK immigration due to “planned industrial action by the UK Border Force”. Another local said their airline has advised her to allow additional time if they plan to travel between December 23 to 31, and encouraged them to check in early.
Ambulance staff in England and Wales are planning to strike tomorrow and on December 28, and UK Border Force staff working in passport control are also walking out in periods over the last week of December.
UK Trainline stated that train strikes and disruptions in operation will occur on December 24-27. Similar strikes are also expected during the first week of January 2023.
