The boss of Heathrow has said he does not expect to cancel flights this summer as a result of strikes by security staff.
Last week, Unite the union confirmed 31 days of strike action beginning on June 24 with walkouts involving more than 2,000 security officers at Heathrow.
Speaking as the airport unveiled increased passenger numbers for May, Heathrow chief executive John Holland-Kaye said: “We have delivered excellent service to passengers, with no cancellations, over eight days of strikes on the busiest days in May, and do not anticipate cancellations as a result of strikes during the summer holiday getaway.”
Heathrow said it “successfully” managed eight days of strikes during the busiest days in May, with no delays at security and no flight cancellations “thanks to a strong contingency resource”.
It has been building that contingency team ahead of the summer season.
The airport had 6.7 million passengers in May, up 26% year on year, and buoyed by the three bank holidays last month.
It currently has more daily flights than ever before between the UK and US as airlines switch capacity to North Atlantic routes and away from European and East Asian markets, which have been slower to recover.
In May, 1.6 million Heathrow passengers flew across the North Atlantic – and one in four passengers flying between the US and Europe in May passed through Heathrow thanks to the choice of destinations and frequency, added the airport in a statement.
Holland-Kaye commented: “The unrivalled choice of destinations and high frequency to cities like New York make flights from Heathrow vital trade routes with the USA, Britain’s most important export market.”
• Jo Rhodes, deputy editor of Which? Travel, said: “While it’s encouraging that Heathrow says it is putting contingency plans in place to minimise disruption during the forthcoming strikes, those with flights booked over this period are still likely to be concerned.
“It’s essential that the airport and airlines work together to keep travellers updated, and fulfil their legal obligations to passengers in the event of cancellations or delays.
“Travellers should also ensure they have comprehensive travel insurance from the date they book their trip and check the policy carefully: not all will cover them in the event of strikes by airline or airport staff, for example.”