Birmingham Airport has refuted union claims that most aircraft will be grounded during a strike by refuellers that is set to start later this month.

Refuellers working for Menzies Aviation have rejected a 9% pay offer, saying it is a real terms pay cut when inflation is taken into account.

The workers have called out indefinite strike action, starting on 15 August, which the union Unite said will lead to cancelled flights.

In a media release, Unite said the ‘majority of Birmingham airport planes’ would be grounded.

Unite regional officer Sulinder Singh added: “Holidaymakers will not be pleased that their summer getaways could be ruined because Menzies’ greed has resulted in their planes sitting on the tarmac.”

However, Birmingham Airport said it ‘does not anticipate flight cancellations’ and added: “Menzies Aviation is putting contingency plans into operation.”