TENS of thousands of holidaymakers are facing delays as Newcastle International Airport prepares for its first ever strike.

Airport bosses were yesterday locked in crisis meetings, after talks with unions and Acas broke down.

Unison and the TGWU will stage a 48-hour walkout next Thursday, followed by strikes in July over four days.

About 15,000 passengers a day come through Newcastle during this peak period - meaning up to 90,000 could be affected by the action.

Unions say staff, including security, customer services and air traffic control, have not had a pay rise since 2003 and are demanding a 4.3 per cent rise - one per cent more than management has offered.

Graham Eastwood, TGWU regional organiser, said: "Newcastle Airport has made £30m profits in the past two years. All we want is a slice of that and some recognition of the part our members have played in its success."

About 190 of the 280 workers affected will strike. Others in the Amicus union have already accepted the 3.3 per cent pay rise.

The other strikes are planned for July 11 and 16, plus a 48-hour walkout on July 21.

A spokeswoman for Newcastle International Airport said management meetings to formulate contingency plans were ongoing.

She declined to comment further, but the airport issued this statement: "We remain committed to seeking a resolution to the current dispute and are open to further discussions with the trades unions involved."

* www.newcastleinternational.co.uk