Industrial Action at UK Airports by Immigration Staff - Army on Stand-by

The UK Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union has announced eight days of strikes by UK Border Force at London Gatwick/EGGK, London Heathrow/EGLL, Manchester/EGCC, Birmingham/EGBB and Cardiff/EGFF airports between December 23 and New Year’s Eve.

This will result in delays if not chaos for international flights.

Travellers in Britain already face major rail disruption over the Christmas period, with more than 40,000 railway workers due to walk out on 13-14, 16-17, 24-27 December and 3-4 and 6-7 January.

British Government says army will be brought in to man airport immigration control, personnel confirmed "training" at Gatwick & Heathrow as of 9th December.

A London Heathrow Airport spokesperson said the airport was working with airlines and Border Force on plans to mitigate disruption.

London Gatwick Airport said it expected flights to operate as normal and it would also make extra airport staff available to help passengers on strike days.

Blog Editor's Comment: Really? Head in-the-sand thinking by LGK !

"The Home Office advises that immigration and customs checks may take longer during peak times on strike days, and Heathrow will support Border Force to minimise these impacts with the aim of processing passengers through the border as efficiently as possible," the spokesperson said.