Workers employed by Aviation Fuel Services (AFS) will walk out from 5am on Thursday (21 July) until 4.59am on Sunday (24 July). The Unite union has, though, stressed the action could be avoided even at the 11th hour was AFS to come back to the negotiating table with a "substantially improved" offer.

AFS workers are responsible for refuelling half of the non-British Airways traffic at Heathrow, said Unite. Airlines that could be affected include Virgin Atlantic, Emirates, Delta, United, American Airlines, KLM, Air France and Singapore Airlines.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “AFS is wholly owned by incredibly wealthy energy companies who are entirely able to provide our members with a decent pay increase. This is yet another example of energy companies boosting profits at the expense of workers.

“Unite will be providing its members at AFS with its unstinting support until the company makes a pay offer which meets members’ expectations and this dispute is resolved.”

The union claims its AFS members have not received a pay rise for three years, which has seen their income fall by 15.5% "in real terms". They have rejected a 10% increase. AFS is a joint venture; partners include BP, among other firms.

Unite regional officer Kevin Hall said: “The strike action will cause severe disruption and delays at Heathrow. Even at the eleventh hour, strike action could be avoided if AFS made a substantially improved offer. The clock is ticking for AFS."