Immigration staff at Britain’s airports are set to go on strike on November 30, after public sector unions voted in favour of industrial action.
The walk-out by UK Border Agency staff is likely to mean long queues for passengers arriving into British airports.
Gatwick Airport has asked airlines to offer arriving passengers the opportunity to rebook flights to the days before or after November 30.
The airport is also advising passengers to check with their airlines about contingency plans, and has taken the measure of cancelling all non-essential work and meetings so staff can man the terminals, providing refreshments and advice.
Scott Stanley, Gatwick’s chief operating officer, warned this would be a “challenging time” for all airport passengers.
Passengers should “be prepared for the potential for significant disruption at the border zones on the 30th November”, he said.
“Unfortunately, airport staff can not man the desks at the Border Zone but we will provide all necessary assistance to the Border Agency and we are determined to make sure that the needs and welfare of all our passengers will be met on the day.”
Heathrow has said it is “very concerned” by the prospect of a strike by immigration officers.
In a statement on its website, the airport said it is in the process of discussing contingency plans about how to minimise the impact on passengers.
Heathrow is also recommending that passengers check the status of their flights with their airlines before travelling to the airport.