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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Travel
Milo Boyd

easyJet issues Christmas warning ahead of 'major disruption' during strikes

easyJet passengers have been warned they face long queues at British airports over Christmas due to striking workers.

Budget airline easyJet has said that lines for passport check could be two hours long on several days around Christmas.

“The UK Border Force are planning to strike at several UK airports between the 23-25 and 28-30 December with some disruption expected on December 26 and 31 too," a spokesperson for the company said.

“We’ve been advised that queues at passport control could be up to two hours long, for all passengers arriving into the UK at Gatwick, Birmingham, Glasgow and Manchester Airport.

“If you’re due to fly with us over this period, we’ll work hard to keep you informed and make your trip as easy as possible this Christmas.”

Have you been impacted by the strikes? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

The airline warned of queues of up to two hours (NurPhoto via Getty Images)

The easyJet warning referred to industrial action being carried out by members of the PCS union working in Border Force.

The strikes 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.

Last week Manchester Airport bosses said some flights will be cancelled and immigration queues will be "much longer".

The Government has put 600 military personnel and civil servants on standby to deal with the potential disruption.

When he announced the strikes ahead of the festive period PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka urged the Home Office to offer a better pay package to his members.

"We have had 10 consecutive years of below inflation pay rise," he said.

Noting the above 10% rate of inflation this year, the union leader added: "This is a crisis."

The union leader said the reality of life working for the government for his members was using foodbanks and hardship.

"Like so many workers, our members are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis. They are desperate," Mr Serwotka said.

The PCS union is seeking a 10% pay rise, and a block on job cuts and reductions on pensions.

The union is one of the biggest in Whitehall with 100,000 members across 214 government departments.

When the strikes were announced a Home Office spokesperson said: "We are disappointed at the union's decision to strike on the proposed dates which will cause an inconvenience to the public and businesses.

Airports are likely to be thrown into chaos by the strikes (Adam Gerrard / Daily Mirror)

"We are working closely with all UK ports and airports and have robust plans in place to minimise any delays if strike action goes ahead. However, passengers should be prepared for disruption.

"Those intending to travel over strike days should plan ahead and contact relevant travel operators before travelling to check how the proposed strike action will affect their journey."

In addition to the Border Force strikes, Menzies baggage handlers at Heathrow are walking out from today (Friday) for 72 hours.

The airport chaos could have a particular impact on Ryanair customers following new orders from the company to its pilots telling them not to wait for delayed passengers.

Speaking anonymously, an aviation pro told the Mirror that pilots with the budget airline have been known to deliberately delay their flights to wait for customers and bags caught up in airport chaos over the past few months.

This practice was brought to a sharp end earlier this month when the company sent round a memo to all plane workers ordering them to "never" ask whether boarding gates can remain open less than 15 minutes before take off.

The pilot said the strict enforcement of the policy could have a big impact on customers during Border Force and baggage handler strikes.

"It's potentially a lot of people (who will be affected)," they told the Mirror.

"It will be the stragglers, the families with pushchairs and the elderly who are struggling. The busy family with young kids."

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