Glasgow Airport is planning to bring in additional support staff during Border Force strikes set to take place over Christmas.

The Public and Commercial Services union are to launch a series of walkouts later this month in a bitter dispute over pay, pensions and jobs.

Its members working at Gatwick, Heathrow, Manchester, Birmingham and Cardiff airports will strike for eight days from December 23 to New Year’s Eve.

Extensive passport checks are only carried out on arrival but long queues could see passengers held on planes after they land, causing delays to departures.

However, a spokesperson for Glasgow Airport said there was no indication that the planned industrial action would have any significant impact on their operations.

They added: "We are continuing to liaise with Border Force regarding their contingency plans.

"We would also reassure our passengers arriving back to the UK that Glasgow Airport will also bring in additional support staff on the proposed strike days to ensure any disruption is kept to an absolute minimum."

EasyJet also plans to operate its full schedule during the industrial action despite Phil Douglas, director-general of Border Force, writing to airlines asking them to cancel up to 30% of flights on strike days to prevent chaos at airports.

EasyJet said in a statement: "We are currently planning to operate our flying schedule, and as you would expect, we are in talks with the individual airports on their contingency plans.

"We want to take our customers on their planned trips at this important time of year and so we urge all parties to reach an agreement as soon as possible."

EasyJet is allowing customers who have booked flights arriving at Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham or Glasgow on the strike days to change their travel date or have a flight voucher for the value of their ticket if they want to amend their plans.