The BA strike has begun on the penultimate day of the show and will run for five days, with two more five-day stoppages due to begin on 30 May and 5 June.

However, Ipex event director Trevor Crawford said BA had plans in place to minimise disruption, adding that local airports, including Birmingham, were unaffected by the planned walk-outs by cabin crew staff.

"Given the timing of the proposed BA strike action on the penultimate day of Ipex and the efforts of the airline to deploy contingency plans, we don't anticipate this to drastically disrupt visitors' travel," he said.

"We will nevertheless continue to keep visitors abreast of developments via our website and dedicated hotline number."

BA said it would run a full schedule at Gatwick and London City airports. At Heathrow, it said it would operate more than 60% of long-haul flights and more than 50% of short-haul flights.

Organiser IIR's hotline, which was launched last month at the height of the travel disruptions, can be reached on 020 3377 3730.