Airports warn of strike day chaos (UK)

AIR passengers have been warned to expect major delays during next week's public sector strike.

Passport and immigration staff will join two million workers in a 24-hour walkout on Wednesday that is set to cause "significant disruption".

Delays at Heathrow and Gatwick could last up to 12 hours and airlines were warned of "mass cancellations" of departing flights.

Passengers may have to be held on arriving aircraft to avoid congestion at passport control, airport operator BAA told airlines.

A spokesman added: "This in turn would quickly create gridlock at the airport with no available aircraft parking stands, mass cancellations of departing aircraft and diversions outside the UK for arriving aircraft."

The warning came in a letter to all airlines flying into Heathrow from airport boss Normand Boivin.

He said BAA had "reluctantly concluded" that the UK Border Agency would be unable to provide normal service.

A Border Agency spokesman said: "Securing the border is our priority and over the last weeks and months we have considered all options to ensure we are prepared for union action.

"We always aim to minimize any disruption caused by the decision of unions to strike, but travelers could see longer waiting times at some ports and airports."

Unions have criticized the agency after it emerged that volunteers were being sought from across the civil service to cover for striking immigration staff.

Mr Boivin said airlines had been asked to halve the number of flights arriving at Heathrow on Wednesday.

He said: "By following this protocol, airlines will reduce the risk of being diverted to an airport outside the UK and reduce the risk of having an outbound flight cancelled."

Gatwick Airport boss Scott Stanley said: "We recognise that this will be a challenging time for all airport passengers, and we would warn passengers to be prepared for significant disruption at border zones."

British Airways and Virgin Atlantic Airways both announced that the normal charges for rebooking flights would not apply for those wishing not to travel on November 30.

A Virgin Atlantic spokeswoman said: "We are very concerned about the effect next week's strike will have on passengers and airport operators. Britain cannot afford to be closed for business."

British Airways said: "We are concerned that the UKBA strike on November 30 creates considerable uncertainty for our customers booked to fly into UK airports on that day.

"We are doing everything that we can to protect our customers and continue to liaise closely with Government, UKBA and airport authorities about possible contingencies."

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