LONDON (AP) — Britain's Unite labour union says talks with airport operator BAA could avert strikes likely to cause major disruption to holiday travel later this month.

Ground staff plan to strike at Britain's six largest airports — which include Heathrow, Stansted, Glasgow and Edinburgh — to protest a pay deal.

Analysts speculate Unite will select the August bank holiday weekend — the last weekend of the month — to maximise disruption.

Tony Woodley, joint leader of Unite, said yesterday that discussions planned for today could lead to a deal if BAA "see a little bit of sense".

BAA and Unite will hold talks brokered by conciliation service Acas.

Woodley told Sky News the union hoped to avoid "a disruption on our hands" on a busy, holiday weekend.