Gatwick faces the threat of strike action by key workers in a row over pay.
Staff at the airport have begun balloting for industrial action in a dispute over a below inflation pay increase.
Strikes could begin by the end April if employees back industrial action, the Unite union warned. The union claims they have been offered a below inflation increase.
The ballot for industrial action will begin on March 23 and will be completed on April 13. If members vote for action, strikes could begin during late April.
Unite members at Gatwick include security staff, firefighters, trolley supervisors, surface transport workers and engineers.
The company has offered a non-consolidated payment of £500 from October 2017, then a 2.8% increase from April 2018 until October 2019 and an additional £350 non-consolidated payment.
The pay offer comes at a time when the profits of Gatwick Airport Limited have risen by £35.5 million to £97.4 million in the past year.
Although Gatwick is only offering a below inflation pay increase it recently gave shareholders £375 million in windfall and dividend payments.
Gatwick is currently operating at record capacity with the number of passengers accessing the airport having increased by 7.7 per cent.
Unite regional officer Jamie Major said: “Workers at Gatwick are disgusted with the company’s attitude. Their hard work means the company has achieved record profits, and they are dealing with record numbers of passengers, yet they have only been offered a real terms pay cut.
“Our members who are working harder than ever are not going to stand idly by and accept what will be a real terms pay cut.
“If GAL wants to avoid strike action which will inevitably lead to widespread disruption for passengers, then the management needs to return to the negotiating table and make a sensible offer.”
A Gatwick spokesperson said: “Our focus remains on continuing discussion around pay in a positive and constructive manner directly with the trade unions and our employees.”