UAE-UK travel: Expect possible delays, says Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways will be operating as scheduled to London’s Heathrow and Manchester during the planned strikes by the UK’s Border Force staff but the airline has warned passengers of delays over Christmas and New Year's Eve at major British airports.

“Etihad is operating as per the advertised schedule,” Etihad Airways spokesperson told Khaleej Times about its services between December 23 and 31 as the Border Force staff at passport control will go on strike at several airports in the UK.

Currently, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic will be limiting ticket sales to London Heathrow Airport during the period of strike to reduce disruption. Around 1,000 Border Force staff will strike on December 23 to 26 and 28 to 31 at different airports in the UK.

Services on the UAE-London sector are among the busiest in the world, and Etihad Airways is advising guests travelling to the UK of “possible delays on arrival at London Heathrow and Manchester” airports during the industrial action affecting airports in the UK.

“UK Border Force staff are set to take industrial action across this period, meaning queues at passport control may be longer than normal. The UK authorities have promised contingency measures to ensure arriving passengers are cleared as safely and as quickly as possible.”

The prolonged strike during the festive period is expected to impact departure schedules from the UK as well.

“There is a possibility that the dispute causes wider operational delays for airlines over this period, which would have an impact on departures from the UK, as well as arrivals,” the spokesperson said.

“Guests arriving into the UK holding passports from the UK, US, EU, Australia, Canada, Iceland, Japan, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Korea and Switzerland will be able to use the electronic passport control gates (e-gates).”

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