Airlines plan to operate all flights over Christmas despite planned strikes by UK airport border staff.
Workers at six airports will stage strikes from December 23 to Boxing Day and from December 28 to New Year’s Eve.
Jet2 said it is “very” intending to operate its busy flight schedule and it is understood Virgin Atlantic expects all of its flights to operate.
The strikes come at one of the busiest times in travel and coincide with strikes by railway and rail workers.
It is the first Christmas since 2019 that airlines have been able to operate without widespread Covid restrictions.
A Times report said airlines were advised to cancel up to 30% of flights during the eight-day strike to avoid disruption at airports.
An airline industry source told the BBC that a Border Force letter to airports last week said it was possible, based on initial models, to operate around 80% of 2019 flight levels during strikes.
However, it is understood that some airlines were already expecting to reach that level of capacity as they are not yet back to pre-Covid levels.
Jet2 said: “We would like to let our customers and industry partners know that we very much intend to operate our entire flight program during the holidays, including on the days when there are strikes.”
A Virgin Atlantic spokesman said it would “continue to work closely with government and industry to support contingency planning and minimize disruption.”
They added: “Our customers’ travel during the holidays is our priority and we are focused on supporting their travel plans and keeping them informed of any potential disruptions at the border.”
Around 1,000 members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union, including people who work at passport control, are expected to go on strike over pay as a result.
The Home Office said that “passengers should be prepared for possible disruption”.
A spokesman said: “We will deploy appropriate resources to meet critical demand and support the flow of passengers and goods through our border.”
In the event of a disruption, it is expected to primarily affect passengers flying to the UK.
Heathrow Airport said its “priority is to ensure passengers get through the border safely and as quickly as possible”.
It added, “We are working closely with airlines and Border Force on mitigation plans for potential strike action by Border Force officers, and those plans are now being implemented for the days communicated.”
In addition to Heathrow, there will be strikes by Border Force workers at London Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff and Glasgow airports.
A Gatwick spokesman said: “We are disappointed that Border Force staff have decided to go on strike at this particular time.
“We expect flights to operate as normal and remain in regular contact with Border Force on their mitigation plans. Additional airport staff will also be made available to assist with passenger welfare on strike days.”
PCS union members take industrial action after the Home Office offered workers a 2% pay rise instead of the 10% they were asking for.
Inflation, which measures the rate at which prices are rising, is the highest in more than 40 years after hitting 11.1% in October.
PCS Secretary General Mark Serwotka said: “The government can stop these strikes tomorrow if they put money on the table.
“Like so many workers, our members are struggling with the cost of living crisis. You are desperate.”
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