Heathrow Airport passengers warned of disruption as security staff strike

Passengers at Heathrow Airport are being warned to limit their hand baggage as security officers stage a series of walkouts, starting on Thursday. Travel disruption is expected at the west London airport while around 1,400 members of Unite union strike between May 4-6, 9-10 and 25-27 - which includes the King’s coronation on Saturday. Travellers are advised to check their flight status with the airline and to expect the airport to be busy. The airport asked that passengers arrive no earlier than two hours before a short-haul flight and three hours before long-haul flights. Hand baggage, or carry-on, will be limited to two items per person on strike days, the airport warned. Handbags and laptop bags count as a piece of hand baggage. Checked-in luggage allowance will remain as advertised by airlines. Additional support teams will be assisting passengers, Heathrow Airport said. “While the airport will remain open, the strike action may cause disruption to the travel plans of some passengers during this period,” the airport said. Unite union announced on Wednesday evening that strikes would go ahead after last-minute talks over a pay dispute at the conciliation service Acas broke down. The union’s regional co-ordinating officer Wayne King said: “Unite has given Heathrow Airport every opportunity to make an improved pay offer, which could have led to the strike action being suspended. “Sadly, they refused to grasp the opportunity to make an offer which could meet members’ expectations." The strikes in May follow similar action taken by the union in March.<br/>