Managing director of Heathrow Airport Mick Temple has said days of delays face passengers at the airport after British Airways cancelled all its flights because of an unofficial walkout by baggage handlers.

British Airways, Europe’s second-largest airline, was in talks with unions last night, in a bid to avert an August 27 strike by as many as 11,000 baggage handlers and check-in staff.

Check-in staff working for Spanish airline Iberia at Heathrow Airport were staging a 24-hour strike today in a row over pay.

Unions are pledging to fight plans by British Airways to cut £37m from workers' pay.