Heathrow airport: Will your flight be cancelled by summer of security strikes?

Passengers using London Heathrow airport will experience “disruption, delays and cancellations this summer” according to the Unite union. In a “a major escalation” of a pay dispute, it is calling more than 2,000 security staff out on strike for 31 days between June and August.

The industrial action at the UK’s busiest airport is timed to coincide with busy family travel dates, including the start of the main summer holidays in England and Wales, as well as the August bank holiday weekend.

A Heathrow spokesperson said: “Passengers can rest assured that we will do everything we can to minimise strike disruption so they can enjoy their hard-earned summer holidays.”

But will your travel plans be scuppered this summer? These are the key questions and answers.

Who is walking out, and when?

More than 2,000 security officers who work for Heathrow Airport Ltd (HAL) will walk out for a total of 31 days in June, July and August. They are members of the Unite union, which has called strikes as follows:

The staff are employed on security search at Heathrow Terminals 3 and 5 and also at airfield checkpoints – this is a unit known as “Campus”.

Terminal 3 is the hub for Virgin Atlantic, Emirates, Cathay Pacific, American Airlines and some British Airways flights. Terminal 5 handles most BA operations.

What will the effect be on travellers?

Unite says: “The walk-out by workers at Terminal 3 will result in a large number of airlines facing the prospect of disruption, delays and cancellations this summer.

“The extensive walk-outs at Terminal Five will heavily affect British Airways’ summer schedule.”

The other two terminals – 2 and 4 – will not be affected by the walk-outs.

What happens if my flight is cancelled?

Under air passengers’ rights rules, you are entitled to be flown to your destination as closely as possible to the original timing. If the airline that grounds the plane cannot fly you on the same day, but another carrier has space, it must buy you a seat. In addition you must be given hotel accommodation and meals commensurate with the wait.

Will people returning to Heathrow be hit on strike days?

Only if outbound flights are cancelled or severely delayed as a result of the walk-outs.

Can I change my flight to avoid a strike day?

Not at…