Airports could be thrown into festive chaos and passengers stuck away from their families when airport staff strike in the week over Christmas.
This afternoon bosses at the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union released the strike dates for their Border Force, passport and visa staff over Christmas.
The industrial action 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.
There are concerns the strikes will see the return of lengthy queues and the cancellations which blighted UK airports this summer.
Manchester Airport bosses have 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.
"We have had 10 consecutive years of below inflation pay rise," general secretary Mark Serwotka told a press conference today.
Noting the above 10% rate of inflation this year, the union leader said: "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.
"They are being told there is no money for them, while they watch ministers giving out government contracts worth billions of pounds to their mates"
An aviation expert has told The Telegraph that the strikes could cause flights to be seriously delayed or cancelled.
“We may need to reduce the demand at ports and airports alike down to 70 per cent to 80 per cent of normal levels,” the anonymous source said.
An airport chief added: “There is going to be some impact and there is concern we cannot keep people just flying into the country and waiting in halls in long queues.
"We will have to make cancellations because there is no way of getting people through the border.”
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.
It has already announced strike dates by staff in the Driver and Vehicle Standard Agency, Rural Payment Agency on November 29, National Highways on December 2 and Department for Work and Pensions on December 5.
The Mirror has asked the airports affected for comment.
A Heathrow spokesperson said: “Our priority is to ensure passengers get through the border safely and as quickly as possible.
"We are working closely with airlines and Border Force on mitigation plans for potential strike action by Border Force officers and these plans will now be implemented for the notified days.
"The Home Office advises that immigration and customs checks may take longer during peak times on strike days, and Heathrow will support Border Force to minimise these impacts with the aim of processing passengers through the border as efficiently as possible.
"Passengers are advised to check their flight status with their airline before travelling. We encourage all parties to resolve this dispute quickly.”
The Airport Operators’ Association on behalf of all member airports, including Birmingham, said: “UK airports have worked tirelessly to tackle several challenges since the reopening of international travel in order to provide a high level of service to passengers.
"The decision of Border Force staff to take industrial action is disappointing and we urge Border Force, the Home Office, and all Government departments to get back around the table to resolve these strikes before they begin or put in place concrete and deliverable contingency measures to keep the border operating smoothly.”
A Home Office spokesman 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.
"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."
