Strike action by UK Border Agency staff as part of yesterday’s public sector workers day of action failed to cause significant trouble at airports and ports.
Airlines using Heathrow triggered contingency measures and reduced passenger numbers by as much as half. A total of 60 flights out of a daily schedule of 1,200 at Heathrow were cancelled.
Colin Matthews, chief executive of Heathrow owner BAA, said that the cost to airlines and the operator would be millions of pounds. He warned of possible disruption continuing throughout today, the most popular day for re-booked flights.
“We have got another 48 hours before I will say that particular crisis we faced has passed,” Matthews said.
He denied suggestions that BAA, which warned of 12-hour queues and “gridlock”, had deliberately exaggerated the feared disruption to manage demand.
“Categorically not,” he told The Times. “We would have had pandemonium here today if we had not taken the steps that we have taken.”
Gatwick and other airports reported business as usual, while cross-channel ferries companies and Eurostar said that there was no disruption despite UK Borders Agency staff joining the strike.
Both Heathrow and Gatwick said they do not anticipate any major disruption or delays today.