PAIN IN THE CLASS
Brit holidaymakers ‘to be kept on planes’ to prevent overcrowding at airports during strikes
BRIT holidaymakers could be “kept on planes” as a way to prevent overcrowding at airports during strikes.
Border Force strikes threaten to inflict misery on millions of passengers at UK airports over the Christmas period.
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Under contingency plans being drawn up, travellers will be held on aircraft to prevent overcrowding in arrival halls during strike days.
A source involved in discussions told : “Delays of two hours at the border are being routinely discussed in meetings.
“If everything backs up, or anything [such as e-gates] fails, then airports will have to instruct that passengers are held on planes to prevent overcrowding.”
The industrial action by Border Force members of the PCS union will take place on December 23, 24, 25 and 26, as well as 28, 29, 30 and 31 at Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow, Gatwick, Heathrow and Manchester airports, as well as Newhaven port.
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More than 10,000 flights are scheduled to land across the affected dates, which equates to around two million passengers.
The Civil Aviation Authority has warned passengers that the stoppages could lead to lengthy queues at the airports, as well as cancelled and delayed flights.
In an attempt to ease the problem at travel hubs, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic have stopped selling tickets for inbound flights at Heathrow on strike days.
Previously, a Ryanair pilot said that full planes could be stuck on the tarmac on the days strikes are due to occur, as security and passport check became clogged up.
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They told The Mirror: "I expect the airport to either instruct or the situation to dictate that the passengers stay on the aircraft, because the terminal will be full."
"When these strikes take place, the strikes are going to cause even further delays in the airport, and that will compound the problem.
"Passengers will be delayed and be late to the gate. Ryanair is saying 'gates shut 15 minutes to go'. Most of the pilots I've spoken to will happily wait the extra few minutes if there's been a delay."
Britain faces a further wave of strike action this week as nurses, ambulance drivers and driving examiners walk out.
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