All British Airways staff who took part in unofficial strike action which left 70,000 passengers stranded at Heathrow have returned to work, the airline said today.
The returning staff members decided to end their 24-hour strike action after it was announced that talks would be held with Acas to resolve the dispute with the catering firm that sparked it.
BA said it would fly "a limited number of aircraft" from 8pm today. Only passengers with confirmed reservations for after 8pm would be accepted on flights, the airline said.
Mike Street, director of BA customer services and operations, said: "We face a complex logistical challenge with at least 100 aircraft and 1,000 flying crew out of position. As a result it will take some time to return to a normal flying programme.
"We recognise how frustrating this must be but we are working as hard as we can to get customers away on their holidays."
The Transport and General Workers' Union confirmed staff had started to return to work after taking unofficial action in support of former employees of Gate Gourmet, the airline's catering supplier at Heathrow.
Around 500 flights - 250 in and 250 out of the airport - had to be cancelled today as ground staff went on strike in support of the sacked catering workers.
The cancellations stranded 70,000 Heathrow passengers, and a number of long-haul flights were diverted to alternative airports around the UK.
Around 1,000 baggage handlers and ground staff took unofficial action after workers at the catering company Gate Gourmet were sacked in a row over working practices.
The row erupted on Wednesday after more than 650 workers were dismissed, with the US-owned catering firm saying it had taken the decision in response to unofficial strike action.
The TGWU which represents many of the Gate Gourmet staff, has accused the company of acting unilaterally in cutting wages and changing conditions.
It is reported that the Acas talks are to take place at offices near Heathrow airport rather than at the conciliation service's headquarters in central London.
"Following discussions between the company, the TGWU and Acas, the parties have agreed to open discussions without prejudice, via the use of Acas, in order to resolve the major difficulties they face," Acas said in a statement.
"Discussions will start immediately, with a view to reaching agreement."
More than 1,000 passengers spent Thursday night at the airport, spokesman Tony Cane said. BA put a further 4,000 up in hotels in the surrounding area, but the majority had to return to their homes.
The airline said it would re-book customers due to travel on cancelled flights, but this is likely to be after the weekend. Alternatively, customers can book to travel to an alternative destination.
If passengers did not want to rebook, they could claim a refund, with compensation being looked at on a "case by case" basis, the spokesman added.
Aviation experts said BA could lose up to £40m in refunds, loss of flight revenues and the cost of finding accommodation for the stranded passengers.
The long-term effects of the strikes could also affect the airline's reputation, damaging share prices.
Today, the sacked catering staff said they were "amazed" their dispute had caused such chaos.
A spokesman said the workers felt sorry for passengers stranded at the airport, but added that there was nothing they could do and vowed to continue their fight.
The BA chief executive, Sir Rod Eddington said it was "a huge disappointment" that the airline had "become embroiled in someone else's dispute".
Gate Gourmet's chief executive, Dave Siegel, today insisted blame for the disruption lay firmly at the door of the baggage handlers and other BA workers who staged the wildcat strike.
Last night, people whose flights had been cancelled were served coffee, water and sandwiches in a marquee outside Terminal 4. Inside the building, others tried to find space in which to get some sleep.
Chuck Weinstein, 77, from Boston, and his partner, Janet Gorham, were hoping to return to the US after a trip to Prague when their flight was cancelled yesterday.
"We have been here since 5.30am, and we are just waiting to see what's coming next ... no one seems to really know anything," Mr Weinstein said earlier today. "They're in the dark, they can only give out information as they are getting it."
Malcolm Tarling, of the Association of British Insurers, said travel insurance may cover delays caused by strikes and industrial action.
"People should check their travel policy to see if they are covered, and talk to tour operator or air carrier to see if alternative travel arrangements can be made. Benefits will usually be paid after specified number of hours delay has elapsed, such as eight hours," he said.
BA has asked for passengers travelling today not to come to Heathrow but to find out whether their flight will be departing by checking online or calling the airline on 0800 727 800.
