Gatwick airport says it has “robust plans” in place to keep delays at minimum during today’s UK Border Agency strikes.
The industrial action, which could affect incoming passengers on international flights, is part of public sector strikes over planned changes to pensions, with up to two million workers expected to take part in strikes across the UK.
As of 1000 Gatwick said that “Passengers have been passing through the border zones as normal with no delay”, adding that "We have just got through our first busy peak with no disruption to the inbound flights and no knock-on effect to the outbound flights”.
To help reduce the effects of any disruption the airport says it has “reconfigured both our airside terminals to provide significantly more space and seating for arriving passengers”, with “hundreds” of staff and volunteers on hand to provide assistance.
Gatwick has set up seated reception areas with games, activities and TV screens showing films, and food and refreshments will also be provided to delayed passengers.
The airport said that “We recognise that today is not going to be easy and arriving passengers will be met with queues at immigration but we are determined to make it as comfortable as we can for passengers”.
For more information visit gatwickairport.com.
