Planned strikes at London's Gatwick Airport could hit summer holidays

LONDON – Workers at Britain’s No.2 airport Gatwick will strike for eight days at the end of July and in early August, potentially causing cancellations and travel misery for thousands of passengers at the busiest time of year for summer holidays.

The Unite trade union said around 950 workers, including ground handlers, baggage handles and check-in agents, will walk out in a pay dispute for four days from July 28 to Aug 1 and then another four days from Aug 4 to 8.

“Given the scale of the industrial action, disruption, delays and cancellations are inevitable across the airport,” Unite said in its statement.

European travellers are already on high alert over worries about air traffic control problems arising from both the reduced airspace available due to the Ukraine war, plus staffing issues and industrial action at some locations.

Gatwick, which is located about 48km south of London, said it will support airlines with their contingency plans to ensure flights operate as scheduled.

The contracts concerned in the dispute were between airlines and third party contractors, including Menzies Aviation and DHL Services, the airport said.

Key hub

A key hub for leisure flights to southern European beach destinations, Gatwick’s biggest airlines include easyJet, TUI and British Airways.

EasyJet said further talks between its ground handler DHL and Unite were taking place next week.

“We urge them to reach an agreement as soon as possible,” the airline said.

EasyJet has already axed 2 per cent of its summer flight schedule, mostly from Gatwick, over concerns that air traffic control issues will impact its schedule.

Any disruption this summer will come on the back of a chaotic peak season in Europe last year when thousands of flights were cancelled due to a shortage of staff.

Airlines faced a huge compensation bill as a result, and have spent millions this year ensuring there is slack in the system to try to mitigate the risk of problems.

On the strike-affected days, 4,410 flights are due to depart from Gatwick, equating to over 840,000 potential passengers, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium.

British Airways and TUI have not yet responded to a request for comment.

Gatwick was singled out by the head of airlines trade group Iata earlier this week as having local resource issues in its air traffic control function, according to a report in the Financial Times.

Britain’s busiest hub, Heathrow Airport, agreed to a pay deal with security workers in June, avoiding multiple days of walkouts throughout the summer which had been planned by Unite. REUTERS