East Midlands Airport strike delay warning

Passengers flying into East Midlands Airport should expect long queues as a result of strike action by border control officers, a union has warned.

The Union for the Border Agency (UBA) said 18 of its members were expected to strike in protest at government pension changes on Wednesday.

It said little disruption was expected for people flying out of the airport.

The airport and the UK Border Agency said they were working together to minimise problems.

The union represents the majority of the 24 UK Border Agency staff working at the Castle Donington airport.

'Minimise disruption'

Lucy Moreton, UBA Deputy General Secretary, said: "The impact on those flying out will be minimal, assuming aircraft can get in, but the impact on people flying in will be significant.

"They will end up in a queue for a very long time.

"We don't want the travelling public caught up in this any more than the travelling public want to be caught up in this.

"The only way it would affect individuals flying out would be if aircraft are diverted because of the queues."

Some of the border control officers at the airport are represented by the Public and Commercial Services Union, whose members are also expected to strike.

A UK Border Agency spokesperson said: "The security of the UK border remains our top priority and we are exploring all options to ensure we minimise any disruption caused by planned union action."

An East Midlands Airport spokesperson said: "East Midlands Airport has worked closely with the UK Border Agency to develop contingencies so that any disruption due to industrial action is minimised for our arriving customers."