British Airways and Virgin Atlantic have stopped selling inbound tickets to London Heathrow for eight days over the Christmas period after Border Force confirmed strikes from 23–26 and 28–31 December. The move follows a request from Heathrow Airport, which fears passenger volumes above 80 % of 2019 levels would overwhelm passport control if thousands of officers stay off the job.
Around 1,000 PCS-union members at Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow and the Port of Newhaven will down tools in a dispute over below-inflation pay and a new ‘inflexible’ roster. The Home Office says it is “extremely disappointed” but has contingency plans that include drafting in military personnel and civil servants to check passports.
![BA and Virgin freeze Heathrow ticket sales on days Border Force staff plan Christmas walk-outs]()
By capping sales rather than cancelling flights outright, BA and Virgin aim to reduce arrivals by roughly 10,000 passengers a day. Both carriers are also offering free re-booking within a two-week window. EasyJet and other airlines serving affected airports are implementing similar policies.
For corporate travel managers, the immediate task is rerouting essential staff, flagging potential delays at immigration and advising travellers to carry printed proof of UK status or eVisas in case eGates are closed. Companies with time-critical holiday shipments should consider alternative ports of entry.
The episode underlines the fragility of the UK’s stretched border operation. Industry bodies warn that continuing industrial unrest could dent Britain’s reputation as a reliable hub just as the country prepares to enforce Electronic Travel Authorisation checks on millions more visitors in 2026.
Around 1,000 PCS-union members at Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow and the Port of Newhaven will down tools in a dispute over below-inflation pay and a new ‘inflexible’ roster. The Home Office says it is “extremely disappointed” but has contingency plans that include drafting in military personnel and civil servants to check passports.
By capping sales rather than cancelling flights outright, BA and Virgin aim to reduce arrivals by roughly 10,000 passengers a day. Both carriers are also offering free re-booking within a two-week window. EasyJet and other airlines serving affected airports are implementing similar policies.
For corporate travel managers, the immediate task is rerouting essential staff, flagging potential delays at immigration and advising travellers to carry printed proof of UK status or eVisas in case eGates are closed. Companies with time-critical holiday shipments should consider alternative ports of entry.
The episode underlines the fragility of the UK’s stretched border operation. Industry bodies warn that continuing industrial unrest could dent Britain’s reputation as a reliable hub just as the country prepares to enforce Electronic Travel Authorisation checks on millions more visitors in 2026.
