A planned strike by 500 handling staff at London's Stansted Airport this holiday weekend has been called off after unions agreed a pay deal with their employer, Swissport, the GMB union said on Wednesday.

A strike would have disrupted travellers heading off for quick getaways over the long weekend on budget airlines such as Ryanair and easyJet.

GMB organizer Gary Pearce said union negotiators were satisfied with the deal, which amounts to about 11 percent over two years, and would recommend the offer to their members.

"It's a good deal for them," Pearce said. "They also increased the shift pay to reflect extra payment on Sunday."

The workers provide baggage handling and check-in services for about 80 percent of passengers at the airport.