Strikes could hit Christmas travellers

British airports may be hit by strikes over Christmas as trade unions this week encouraged firefighters and security guards to reject a new pay offer from the British Airports Authority.

The Transport and General Workers and Amicus unions called off threatened strikes on December 2 and 10 after a new pay offer of 6.3% over two years. But they have urged a rejection of the offer in a ballot, which will be held within three weeks.

Low-cost airlines are getting cheaper

Low-cost fares have dipped even lower this year. EasyJet's annual report this week, which unveiled record profits of £72 million, showed that the average fare was £46 compared with £48 in 2001. The average fare of main rival Ryanair dropped by 2% to £32 in the six months to October.