Workers employed by Aviation Fuel Services (AFS) at Heathrow had been due to walk out for three days from 5am on Thursday (21 July) until 4.59am on Sunday (24 July) in a dispute over pay.

However, following negotiations held via conciliation service Acas on Wednesday (20 July), the Unite union confirmed its AFS members at Heathrow had received a new pay offer sufficient to suspend the proposed strike action.

Unite regional officer Kevin Hall said: “Unite has consistently said that AFS was capable of making an offer more likely to meet members’ expectations. Following the assistance of Acas, an improved offer was made. Members will now be given the time to consider and vote on the new offer.”

The 11th-hour progress will come as a relief to passengers due to fly with Emirates, Virgin Atlantic, Delta, United, American Airlines, KLM, Air France and Singapore Airlines over the coming days, all of whom are served by AFS.

According to Unite, AFS workers are responsible for refuelling half of the non-British Airways traffic at Heathrow.