THOUSANDS of passengers face having their holidays ruined as Heathrow Airport strikes force airlines to cancel 172 flights.
The cancelled flights were due to take off on Monday and Tuesday and could plunge the London transport hub into chaos.
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There are 91 airlines that operate out of Heathrow terminals but British Airways is the believed to be one of the worst affected.
Unite said that around 88,000 passengers will be affected if the industrial action goes ahead.
The airport also advised passengers to allow plenty of time for their journey as queues may be longer than usual.
They should arrive two hours before departure for UK and European flights and three hours for all other flights.
The strikes involving over 4,000 security guards, firefighters, engineers, passenger service operatives and passenger service drivers are set to take place on Monday August 5 and Tuesday August 6.
They were planned as part of a series of walk outs over pay last month.
How do I find out if my flight is cancelled?
You’ll need contact your airline directly as Heathrow has not yet released the list of flights affected. Find your airline from the list online here.
What happens if my flight is cancelled?
If your flight has been cancelled then you will be booked onto an alternative one or given a refund.
If you’re offered an alternative flight then you are entitled to free meals and refreshments which are appropriate to the delay.
You should also get free hotel accommodation and transfer if there’s an overnight stay.
If you get a refund then you should get the cash within seven days.
Airlines are not usually obligated to offer compensation following a strike because they are considered an “extraordinary circumstance”.
Although, it may be worth trying to claim as airlines have a responsibility to ensure your flight arrives on time.
If you booked through a travel company they are also liable to arranging your travel.
Can I claim on insurance?
This depends on when you bought the flight and what type of policy you have.
If the strike had not been called when you booked your flight and your policy covers for strike action then you should be reimbursed for any expenses, such as cancelling your hotel or car hire.
If the strike was already in the offing when you booked your flight then they might argue that you were aware of the potential disruption.
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