AIR passengers to Southampton and Stansted could face disrupted travel this summer. Aviance check-in staff and baggage handlers are set to stage a series of one-day walkouts following the breakdown of pay negotiations.

The company provides ground services to Aurigny at Stansted and Flybe at Southampton.

Local carriers are now awaiting the outcome of today’s fresh round of talks.

‘If the proposed strike action does go ahead then the only airport in the Aurigny network to be affected would be Stansted, as the proposed action is by T&G staff working for Aviance,’ said Aurigny yesterday.

‘We expect to find out tomorrow whether the strike will go ahead and understand that both Aviance and Stansted Airport will implement a contingency plan in order to minimise any disruption, should it occur.’

Members of the Transport & General Workers’ Union have voted 4:1 to strike in protest at a pay offer of 2.5%. The GMB union is planning to ballot for similar action.

UK airport operators have warned of widespread delays and cancellations if the planned strikes go ahead.

‘It is business as usual at the moment,’ said a Flybe spokesman yesterday.

‘We are advising passengers to carry on as planned until further notice.

‘Talks are continuing and we hope they bring a positive conclusion.

‘However, we are developing contingency plans with Aviance so we are prepared in the event of industrial action being taken.’

Aviance provides ground services at 17 airports to carriers including BMI and easyJet and its 4,300 staff handle more than 68,000 airline passengers’ baggage a day.

Aviance also operates business lounges, loads cargo, runs information desks and coordinates aircraft.

Unions are meeting the company for a fresh round of talks today. If the negotiations fail, the T&G could give seven days’ notice of a strike.

* More than 80,000 passengers faced disruption when British Airways check-in staff staged unofficial walkouts at Heathrow last year in protest at the introduction of swipe cards requiring them to clock on.