Passengers face delays at Heathrow

Passengers face delays at Heathrow

Passengers face delays at Heathrow

Passengers face disruption today as Heathrow workers hold a 48-hour strike.

A two-day walkout started at 04.30GMT, affecting up to 20 airlines.

The industrial action comes after talks aiming to avert a strike by baggage handlers and check-in staff collapsed on Friday.

Nine out of 10 workers backed industrial action in the ballot.

Disgruntled staff claim not to have been given a pay increase by Swissport for a year and a half.

Swissport runs the baggage handling and check-in services for 21 airlines.

The firm said pay had increased by around 9.5 percent and 17.5 per cent over the past two years, but the T&G union was now demanding a “totally unrealistic” increase of 16 per cent.

Air China, Cyprus Airways, Kuwait Airways and Middle East Airlines will be the worst affected.

Swissport is servicing Aer Lingus, El Al, Icelandair, Japan Airlines and Malaysia Airlines but the company said some delays were expected.

Terminals One, Two and Three and the Cargo Terminal at Heathrow are being hit by the strike.