News

Slow going at strike-affected UK airports

Travellers are being warned by UK airports to expect delays of up to 12 hours on arrival during a day of public sector strikes on Wednesday (30^th November).

Immigration and customs officers are among the hundreds of staff who will walk out, prompting travel warnings at major airports including Heathrow.

Its management has asked airlines to halve capacity on international flights coming in to ease the gridlock from the strikes.

Ten of thousands of travellers have already re-booked flights for a different day. Airports say disruption caused by queues backing up in immigration halls will leave planes unable to disembark and mass cancellations of later flights.

A spokesman for BAA, which runs airports including Heathrow, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen said: “UK Border Agency is advising that passengers who can do so may wish to travel on other dates.”

The extent of delays and disruption will depend on the final number of people involved in the strikes on Wednesday but UK Border Agency has stressed maintaining security is its main priority.

People leaving the UK from major airports could also face delays caused by the disruption.

Passengers at Gatwick are being advised to check with their airlines about contingency plans in place. The airport has cancelled all non-essential work and meetings to allow more staff to man terminals, provide refreshments and give advice.

The airports largest carrier, easyJet, has said it is not offering passengers a free rebooking. A spokesman said: “We plan on running a full schedule of flights. Passengers will travel as normal and we will work with Border Agency and the airport on contingency plans.

Airlines have united in their concern at a 24-hour slowdown.

A spokesman for one of Heathrow’s largest carriers, Virgin Atlantic, said “Britain cannot afford to be closed for business. We are very concerned about the effect the strike will have on passengers and airport operators.

BA is offering alternative dates to passengers due to travel on November 30 at no extra cost. It added it planned to run a normal schedule but warned of “considerable uncertainty.”

Eurostar confirmed it would remain unaffected by the strikes and is laying on two additional services – one from London to Paris and the other from Paris to London – on Tuesday to cope with extra demand.

This news story was written by DialExpotel for Expotel, the UK’s leading hotel, travel and venue booking agency. For further information call Expotel on 0844 793 7300

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