Heathrow strike action sparks chaos with DOZENS of flights already cancelled
More than 70 flights have been cancelled at Heathrow Airport on the first day of strike action
PA
More than 70 flights have been cancelled on the first day of strike action by security staff at Heathrow airport – affecting an estimated 10,000 passengers.
Talks on Thursday night ended in failure with 1,400 members of the Unite union walking out from today until Easter Sunday, April 9.
The majority work at security checkpoints at Terminal 5, while others staff control posts across the airport where vehicles go “airside”.
Unite’s regional co-ordinating officer, Wayne King, said: “Heathrow airport has thrown away the opportunity to avoid strikes.
Security staff from terminal five at Heathrow airport are striking for 10 days
PA
“The strike action will undoubtedly result in severe delays and disruption to passengers across the airport but this dispute is a direct result of Heathrow airport’s stubborn refusal to pay its workers fairly.”
This weekend is expected to pile on pressure at the airport as many schools break up ahead of Easter.
A Heathrow spokesperson said: “We will not let these unnecessary strikes impact the hard-earned holidays of our passengers.
“Our contingency plans will keep the airport operating as normal throughout.
“We are deploying 1,000 additional colleagues and the entire management team who will be in the terminals providing assistance to passengers over the busy Easter getaway.
“Colleagues could have an above-inflation 10 per cent pay increase back-dated to 1 January and a lump sum payment of £1,150, but instead they’re left empty-handed by Unite’s actions.“
Heathrow told British Airways, which is the only airline at Terminal 5, to ground 32 of its planned daily departures to in a bid to reduce the strain on the security search area.
Cancellations today include domestic flights to Aberdeen, Belfast City, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester and Newcastle.
Flight operator British Airways has cancelled dozens of its flights
PA
In Europe, multiple services to Amsterdam, Nice, Stockholm and Zurich have been axed.
Other departures to destinations including Athens, Vienna and Palma de Mallorca have also been cancelled.
One transatlantic link on Friday to Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York JFK, Seattle and Washington DC has been grounded.
Passengers are entitled to be flown to their destination on the same day as originally booked, including on another airline if BA has no availability.