Gatwick, Luton and Stansted airports look set to escape the chaos engulfing troubled carrier British Airways (BA), with Heathrow to be hit hardest by a series of crippling strikes.

British Airways

British Airways

Airline officials said they expected to operate around 60% of longhaul services from the airport and more than half of all short flights.

The news comes after talks aimed at averting industrial action collapsed on Sunday.

Unite joint leader Tony Woodley had offered to suspend the strikes if BA gave back staff travel rights, but the war of words between the two sides continued, with the carrier saying it was disappointed he had taken to negotiation via the media rather than through Acas.

“We had agreed to a request from Acas to meet this afternoon and are surprised that Unite did not take advantage of this,” BA said in a statement.

“We have already offered to reinstate travel concessions to cabin crew once all elements of our offer have been implemented.”

“We call on him to call off the strike action and return to the table with Acas to finish the discussions that started yesterday.”

BA claimed it would now focus on helping customers caught up in the dispute.

“All flights at London Gatwick and London City will operate as normal. At Heathrow we expect to operate more than 60% of longhaul services and more than 50% of shorthaul flights and we will add to that schedule where we can,” a spokesman said.

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