[ad_1]
Strikes will continue across a number of industries this week in an escalating campaign of industrial action, with Border Force workers among those expected to walk out.
The strike by more than 1,000 Border Force employees will affect passport control desks at Heathrow, Gatwick, Birmingham, Cardiff and Glasgow airports from Friday until Boxing Day, and then from 28 December until New Year’s Eve.
More than 10,000 flights are scheduled to land at those airports during those times and it is feared that the strikes could see people waiting more than two hours in passport queues during the peak Christmas holiday period.
According to a report in The Times, contingency plans are being drawn up that would see passengers held on arriving flights to prevent overcrowding in arrival halls.
Read more:
Strikes every day before Christmas – which sectors are affected and why
The newspaper quoted a source involved in discussions as saying: “Border Force are talking about moving staff around the country but it is a very busy period.
“Delays of two hours at the border are being routinely discussed in meetings.
“If everything backs up, or anything fails (such as e-gates), then airports will have to instruct that passengers are held on planes to prevent overcrowding.”
Some airlines have already taken action to limit the fall-out.
On Friday, it was revealed that British Airways and Virgin Atlantic are limiting ticket sales for flights to Heathrow during the Border Force strike days.
Both airlines are letting customers move their travel to a non-strike day, and they are also keeping schedules and ticket restrictions under review.
Read more:
Giving in to nurses on pay would ‘stoke’ inflation and have ‘huge impact’, says minister
Troops…
[ad_2]
