AN AIR strike last night appeared inevitable with the collapse of talks between British Airways and the Transport and General Workers' Union. BA immediately launched a #500,000 advertising campaign to announce contingency plans for the 72-hour strike, due to start at 6am on Wednesday. Chief executive Bob Ayling admitted customers faced disruption, but insisted many flights would operate.

Heathrow will be the worst affected, with half of inter-continental flights cancelled and Shuttle services disrupted. Inter-continental flights out of Gatwick will also be cancelled. The union accused the airline of ''inciting'' a strike, and claimed #100m had already been lost through ticket cancellations. BA said the union refused to budge on pay.

Full report - Page 5