About 600 baggage handlers and maintenance staff working for air services provider Servisair have gone on strike at Gatwick Airport in a dispute over working conditions but flights were said to be unaffected.
"Everything is running normally at the airport," a spokesman for airport operator BAA said today.
Airlines operating out of Gatwick said contingency plans were in place to avoid disruptions during the 24-hour walkout, which began at 2 a.m.
The Transport and General Workers' Union (TGWU) said its members were protesting because of inadequate rest time between physically demanding shifts. Union spokesman Mr Andrew Dodgson said there was also anger over the suspension of a senior steward.
But while the strike at Gatwick continued, a two-day strike at London's Heathrow Airport was suspended to consider a new offer in a pay row.
About 40 staff at air refuelling firm AFS launched a 48-hour strike on Friday after last-ditch pay talks collapsed this week.
Airport operator BAA Plc said there had been little disruption as AFS was just one of three refuelling companies operating at Heathrow.