UAE airlines tell passengers to alter travel plan

UAE flag carriers Emirates airline and Etihad Airways are strongly urging their passengers bound for London and other parts of the UK to change their travel days to avoid long delays.

DUBAI — UAE flag carriers Emirates airline and Etihad Airways are strongly urging their passengers bound for London and other parts of the UK to change their travel days to avoid long delays on Wednesday when the UK Border Agency goes on massive strike on November 30.

A 24-hour strike by the UK Border Agency has been planned across the United Kingdom from 00.01 until midnight (UK local time) on Wednesday.

An Emirates spokesperson said that all their flights to and from the UK on that day may be disrupted or forced to be cancelled. “Passengers are strongly encouraged to consider alternate travel days. They are advised to check the flight tracker on www.emirates.com, which is updated every five minutes, before heading to the airport.

Etihad Airways told Khaleej Times that the strike will most likely affect operations at all the UK border crossings and has the potential to cause disruption at all UK airports.

An Etihad spokesperson said that the airline operates flights to both London Heathrow and Manchester and its flights will be operating as scheduled, but due to the anticipated disruption, it is possible that Etihad passengers may experience long delays at the immigration at both airports on this day.

The spokesperson advised passengers wishing to change their itinerary to call Etihad office or their travel agent.

Etihad will provide regular updates on www.etihadairways.ae.

lily@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE