British Airways has cancelled around 32 flights a day to and from Heathrow at the start of the Easter holidays as the airport prepares for a 10-day strike by security workers.
The walkout by some members of the Unite union in a dispute over pay is due to run from March 31 and April 9 and will impact Terminal 5.
Heathrow had instructed BA to reduce its schedule by 5% on the strike days, with most impacted services on multi-frequency short-haul routes.
BA said in a statement: “Following Heathrow’s requirement for us to reduce the number of passengers travelling during the period of its employees’ proposed strike action, we’ve regrettably had to make a small number of adjustments to our schedule.
“We’ve apologised to customers whose travel plans have been affected and have offered them a range of options, including rebooking onto a new flight with us or another airline, or requesting a full refund.
“Our teams are continuing to work closely with Heathrow to ensure that our customers’ journeys run smoothly.”
A Heathrow spokesperson said it would deploy additional staff to offset the impact of the walkout, adding: “We will not let these unnecessary strikes impact the hard-earned holidays of our passengers.”
Speaking last week, Unite regional co-ordinating officer Wayne King said: “Strike action will cause huge disruption and delays at Heathrow throughout Easter but this dispute is entirely of HAL’s [Heathrow Airport Ltd] own making it has had every opportunity to make a fair pay offer but has failed to do so.”
However, a spokesperson for the airport responded: “Passengers can be reassured that we have contingency plans which will keep the airport open and operational despite unnecessary threats of strike action by Unite.
“We have proposed an inflation beating 10% increase in pay which the public will recognise is fair and a majority of our colleagues have told Unite is not worth striking over.”
Which? Travel editor Rory Boland said: “British Airways’ decision to cancel flights as a result of forthcoming strike action at Heathrow will be hugely disappointing for customers, whose Easter travel plans could be affected.
“British Airways must ensure it is fulfilling its legal obligations to its passengers and, as it promised, offer passengers the choice of a refund or of being rerouted – even if this means buying them a ticket with a rival carrier.”
“While Heathrow has put contingency measures in place, further disruption to flights can’t be ruled out. In the event of further cancellations or delays, airlines must ensure travellers are aware of their rights to assistance.
“Anyone still looking to book a flight during this time may want to consider alternative airports.”