No flights will be cancelled during next week’s half term strike at Heathrow Airport

Heathrow airport has said that no flights will be cancelled during next week’s “half term” strike by security officers.

From 25 to 27 May members of union Unite who work at Terminal 5 will strike over a dispute over pay and Heathrow has said that they will deploy extra staff.

Heathrow said the “completely unnecessary” half-term strike will not affect flights and that they have delivered “excellent passenger service” throughout previous industrial action.

Heathrow have offered members of Unite a 10% pay increase and lump sum of £1,150 and have told the union “We know the majority of colleagues want to accept this offer.”

Heathrow chief executive John Holland-Kaye said, “Passengers should not be concerned about strike action by Unite over the half-term getaway.

“The 15 days of strike action over the Easter peak and coronation weekends have had no impact on the smooth running of the airport, and passengers have not noticed any difference from the normal great service they expect at Heathrow.

“These strikes are completely unnecessary. When I speak to colleagues the overwhelming message is that they just want to vote on our pay offer, but Unite won’t let them.

“We made a generous 10% offer early on to make sure colleagues got a substantial increase when they needed it most.

“Unite’s delays mean non-union colleagues – as well as the majority of colleagues who are union members who voted to accept our previous offer – are losing out.”

The union previously said its members have been “crystal clear they are seeking a substantial permanent increase in pay.”