Two major UAE-based airlines have issued travel advisories to passengers travelling to the United Kingdom on November 30, as the country faces one of its largest strikes in decades over pension reforms.

According to reports, majority of the British public workers, including teachers, health workers and civil servants are planning to go on strike against the government’s decision to make them work longer in order to be get more pension.

“As a result, all Emirates flights to and from the UK on that day may be disrupted or forced to be cancelled.

Passengers are strongly encouraged to consider alternative travel days,” a statement by Emirates airlines said.

Emirates has offered passengers who have already booked and ticketed to travel to/from the UK on November 30, 2011 to have their tickets re-booked/re-issued for travel on November 28-29 or December 1-7 at no additional cost.

Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi-based Etihad airways, which operates flights to both London Heathrow and Manchester, says it has been forced to make several changes to London-bound flights this week because of a 24-hour strike by Border Agency staff across the United Kingdom.

“The public sector strike involving up to two million workers from 33 unions is due to take place from 00:01 until midnight (UK local time) on Wednesday, November 30,” it said.

According to the airline, the strike will affect operations at all UK border crossings and cause disruption at all UK airports.

Etihad operates flights to both London Heathrow and Manchester.

“Due to the anticipated disruption in Heathrow airport, and the possibility that Etihad guests may experience long delays in waiting to clear immigration, the following flights have been cancelled on November 30,” said the airline adding that at the request of authorities at London Heathrow airport one flight (EY011 from Abu Dhabi to London Heathrow) will operate on November, 30 with a reduced passenger capacity.

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