British Airways introduced a controversial new clocking-on system at Gatwick today following an agreement with unions.

Thousands of passengers suffered travel chaos during an unofficial walkout earlier this month in protest at the new swipe card system.

The dispute began when BA pushed ahead with the introduction of an electronic clocking-on system without negotiating with staff.

Union leaders complained the airline was attempting to impose the new procedure without the agreement of their members.

Flights were cancelled and thousands of passengers had to wait in specially erected marquees outside airport terminals.

The dispute, which cost BA millions of pounds, ended after several days of talks between the airline and leaders of three trade unions - Amicus, the GMB and the Transport and General Workers Union.

Union leaders feared the electronic system would lead to "annualised hours" which would force staff to work extra hours at short notice.

BA confirmed the system will start at Heathrow as well as Gatwick, which was not involved in the industrial action.

Low-fare airline easyJet is to fly to three new routes from Gatwick this autumn.

The no-frills carrier will start services to the French cities of Marseilles and Toulouse and to Bilbao in Spain on October 26.

Return fares will start from £40.98 and the services will take the number of routes the airline operates from Gatwick to 17.