A planned 48-hour pay strike by baggage handlers and check-in staff at 18 airports in the UK has been called off.

The many Irish people who have booked flights home to Ireland for Christmas will be greatly relieved as members of Unite employed by Swissport were due to walk out from Friday.

They voted for industrial action in protest at a 4.65% pay offer over three years.

The strike was called off following talks at the conciliation service Acas

Unite general secretary Len McCluskey took part in the talks and announced that the strike had been cancelled after an improved pay offer.

“I am delighted to report that we have reached an agreement which our shop stewards will recommend to our members.”

Talks are continuing to try to avert strikes by British Airways cabin crew but Mr McCluskey said progress was “painfully slow”.

British Airways cabin crew are due to strike on Christmas Day and Boxing Day in a separate dispute over pay. The airline said it will run a full service despite the strike.

Mr McCluskey appealed to senior management at BA to get involved in the talks. “I will make myself available 24 hours a day to try to reach an agreement, ” he said.