UK airlines have announced a series of cancellations in preparation for the air traffic control strike.

Operators such as British Airways (BA) and easyJet are to use larger aircraft or reschedule some of their services, with other flights being grounded completely. The move is most likely to hit holidaymakers travelling to Italy and Portugal, while some flights to Paris have also been cancelled due to a planned walkout by French controllers.

The strike begins today, as workers from the Air Traffic Controllers European Unions Coordination stage the first walkout, with the European Transport Workers' Federation following suit tomorrow. Domestic services will be unaffected as British controller Nats announced its staff would not take part in the industrial action.

A spokesman for BA commented: "We are doing all we can to minimise disruption to customers affected by air traffic control strikes across Europe."

Passengers were advised to check the airlines' websites for further information, with easyJet advising it will also email its customers. The company also warned that disruption to services could continue after the strikes are over, a result of the inevitable schedule backlog that will build up over the period.