Bahrain's national airline Gulf Air announced yesterday (November 29) that it would operate its flights to London today as scheduled despite a planned strike by staff at the UK Border Agency.

However, the airline advised passengers that they might experience delays in getting through immigration check points at Heathrow airport.

Other Gulf airlines issued similar warnings and some grounded a few of their flights on the day.

A Gulf Air spokesman said passengers holding confirmed tickets to fly between Bahrain and London today and wish to change their travel to a later date, can contact Gulf Air Bahrain on 17373737 or in the UK on 08444931717.

"Change of travel dates will be subject to seat availability," the spokesman said.

Meanwhile, Emirates Airline and Etihad Airways, which fly to the UK from Dubai and Abu Dhabi, cancelled five flights between them.

They said that the cancellations would spare travellers anticipated disruption at Heathrow Airport and the long delays for those waiting to clear immigration.

A statement issued by Emirates said EK029 and EK030 - Dubai to London Heathrow and the return flight - would be grounded "due to the announced strike of the UK Border Control Authority at all UK airports".

The airline said there was likely to be "significant disruption and extensive delays for arriving and departing passengers in and out of the UK".

The statement said passengers had been encouraged to consider alternative travel days.

Etihad, on the other hand, cancelled three flights - two from Abu Dhabi to London and one from London to Abu Dhabi.

Airline officials said passengers booked on these flights would be rebooked on alternative journeys. It said flights to Manchester would continue to operate as scheduled.

Qatar Airways said it was urging passengers to contact its reservation office or local travel agents for rebooking options.

The airline is offering rebooking options for passengers holding confirmed reservations for travel today on any of the affected flights arriving into London Heathrow or Manchester.

A 24-hour strike by up to 18,000 passport and immigration staff is expected to take place in protest at changes made to their pension plans.

Thousands of immigration officials are expected to join union staff representing teachers, health workers and civil servants.

Unions are opposing moves to make government employees retire later and contribute more towards their pensions. – TradeArabia News Service