by the first in a series of massive three-day strikes by cabin crew.

And if the dispute is not sorted out by next week, another Wednesday-to-Thursday strike could be held next week.

Around 200 passengers booked on the plane to London Gatwick were last night urged to contact BA to have their travel arrangements changed.

And BA Bermuda manager Philip Troake said yesterday customers due to return to the Island during the strike period should also contact BA.

He added: "They will be transferred on to alternative British Airways flights where possible or on to other carriers.'' It is estimated more than 100,000 people will be affected by the peak-time summer strike -- and other airlines did not hold out much hope of helping BA take the strain.

A Delta Air Lines spokeswoman in London said: "There is not a lot we can do.

Flights are generally full. It is peak season.'' And an American Airlines spokeswoman predicted: "British Airways passengers are going to have problems getting flights.'' Mr. Troake said: "It's not going to be easy -- it's in the peak season. All airlines, certainly across the Atlantic, tend to be busy. We will have to minimise disruption as best we can. '' He added some passengers have already been re-booked on other airlines. But he said it was impossible to say how many travellers from the Island would be delayed until the Saturday and Tuesday flights, which will fall outside the strike period.

The strike is set to go ahead following the collapse of last-ditch efforts by the UK's industrial conciliation service ACAS to avert a dispute.

The five-month row was sparked by conflict over a pay and conditions deal offered by BA bosses. Talks with the British Airline Stewards and Stewardesses Association (BASSA) -- representing more than 8,000 cabin crew -- broke down at the weekend.

British Airways -- on a drive to save cash -- offered higher basic pay but wanted more flexibility on work rules to cut down overtime payments.

And management warned flight attendants that will be breaking their contracts if they went on strike and faced being fired.

BASSA, however, refused the deal, insisting it would cut overall pay. Rival union Cabin Crew 89 has already approved the deal and will work through the strike.

But a threatened strike by BA ground staff over plans to axe BA's in-house catering service in another cost-cutting measure has been called off after members of transport union TGWU voted against strike action.

Affected passengers should call 295-4422 or call in at BA's Front Street, Hamilton, office.

All BA UK domestic and European flights to and from Gatwick, international flights to and from regional airports and services operated by BA franchise and alliance partners will operate normally.

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