British Airways has said it is working to ensure Christmas flights go ahead on schedule in advance of threatened industrial action.

While more than 2,000 BA staff are expected to go on strike as soon as tomorrow, Alex Cruz, British Airways CEO and chairman, said: “We are making sure that this attempt to ruin Christmas for thousands of our customers fails.

“Over the weekend we have been working on detailed contingency plans to ensure that we are able to operate our normal flight programme from all our airports on both Christmas Day and Boxing Day.”

British Airways cabin crew last week announced a strike at Heathrow, while check-in staff, baggage handlers and cargo crew at Gatwick also voted to move forward with industrial action.

Both disputes are over pay and involve members from the Unite Union.