Police are expected to be drafted in to cover the strike by border staff on Wednesday and ease the pressure on UK airports.
Ministers have also not ruled out the possibility of bringing troops in to secure the country’s borders during the walk out.
The public sector strike will see up to 18,000 immigration officials stage a 24-hour walk out, in a dispute over changes to pension plans.
It was revealed last week that airport managers would step in to help ease the congestion at airports, as well as Whitehall civil servants.
Border staff who are not part of a union will also be drafted in to the busiest airports to try and reduce delays.
Heathrow, the UK’s busiest airport, could see delays of up to 12 hours as a result of the strike. This has led to police officers stepping in to try and reduce waiting times.
Commenting on the possibility of the deployment of troops to UK airports, Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude told Sky News: “If that’s what is needed – it’s not what we’d prefer to do – but if that is needed, I am told the UK Border Agency are looking at all the options.”
Heathrow has been in talks with the major airlines about reducing the number of passengers they bring to the airport, as a way of further easing congestion.
Speaking to the Financial Times, a BAA spokesman said: “We have received positive responses so far from airlines about their willingness to reduce the number of arriving passengers at Heathrow.”
British Airways and Virgin Atlantic last week offered passengers flying into the Heathrow on 30 November the chance to change flights to a different day, at no extra cost.
American Airlines, United Continental and Scandinavian Airlines have this week all agreed to do the same.
If you are due to fly in to or out of the UK on 30 November, contact your airline to see what arrangements are being made.
