Airlines have reportedly been forced to spend millions of pounds more in fuel due to the ongoing Border Force strikes.
Members of the union PCS working at several UK airports, including Heathrow and Gatwick, are walking out from today to Boxing Day as well as between 28 and 31 December over salaries.
Industry sources have told GB News that long-haul pilots at British Airways were instructed to get fuel for an additional hour as they wait in the skies to avoid overcrowding airports.
Those working on short-haul routes will need to get fuel for an additional 30 minutes.
It is understood that more carriers will follow suit.
The contingency plans were described by sources as “essential but extremely costly” and a “huge setback” for an industry that is slowly returning to profitability.
“This is the very last thing airlines need as they try to rebuild their businesses after Covid,” a source told the outlet.
“For airlines, it’s not as simple as just providing an extra hour of fuel for every long-haul flight.”
According to insiders, adding an extra hour worth of fuel could cost around £6,500 per flight.
“With more than 1000 flights landing at Heathrow every day, the cost to the airline industry from an eight-day walkout will be huge and eventually that additional cost will be passed back down the line to the weary passenger, in the form of increased ticket prices,” the source added.
Trade body Airlines UK was approached for comment.
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