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Airport strikes in the UK have been a cause for concern for travellers, with the potential to disrupt holidays and cause flight cancellations or delays. In 2024, border force workers at Heathrow Airport took industrial action over pay and working conditions, impacting many travellers. Gatwick Airport also faced strikes during the 2025 Easter Bank Holiday weekend, with over 100 workers participating. These strikes are often a result of staff shortages, stressful working conditions, and the cost-of-living crisis, leading to walkouts and negotiations between unions and employers. While some strikes are cancelled or have minimal impact, travellers are advised to stay updated and prepare for potential disruptions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 17 April 2025 to 2 June 2025 |
| Airports | Gatwick, Heathrow |
| Airlines | Virgin Atlantic |
| Workers | Border Force, Red Handling, baggage handlers, check-in staff, flight dispatchers, train controllers |
| Reason | Unpaid pensions, late payments, poor working conditions, new roster system |
| Impact | Delayed or cancelled flights, longer wait times at security |
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What You'll Learn
- Strikes at Gatwick Airport during the 2025 Easter Bank Holiday weekend
- Border Force workers' strikes at Heathrow Airport in 2024
- Cancelled strikes at Heathrow Airport in 2023
- Red Handling employees' strikes, including flight dispatchers, baggage handlers and check-in staff
- Strikes in 2024 by UK border force workers over pay and working conditions
Strikes at Gatwick Airport during the 2025 Easter Bank Holiday weekend
Strikes at airports can be a powerful bargaining chip in negotiations between unions and employers. While strikes at airports can be common, they can also be cancelled at the last minute if both sides come to an agreement.
In the UK, the 2025 Easter Bank Holiday weekend falls from Friday 18 April to Tuesday 22 April. Over this period, more than 100 Gatwick Airport workers have announced industrial action. The strikes involve employees of Red Handling, including flight dispatchers, baggage handlers, and check-in staff. The reasons for the strike action include issues with unpaid pensions and breaks between shifts.
The impact of the strikes is expected to be significant, with around 50 flights a day during one of the airport's busiest times likely to be affected. The union representing the workers, Unite, has stated that workers are taking action due to the appalling way they have been treated by Red Handling. Unite's general secretary, Sharon Graham, said, "Workers have had enough of Red Handling playing fast and loose with their retirement plans and waiting weeks for pay they are rightfully owed for their hard work."
It is important to note that if your flight is delayed or cancelled due to the strikes, the airline may be obliged to provide compensation. However, this depends on the specific conditions of your airline and your travel insurance. It is recommended to check the latest updates before your travel date and prepare for a more disrupted journey than expected.
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Border Force workers' strikes at Heathrow Airport in 2024
In 2024, Border Force workers at Heathrow Airport, the UK's busiest airport, went on strike over pay and working conditions. The strikes caused severe disruption for passengers, with some facing longer wait times at security and potential flight delays or cancellations.
On April 29, 2024, it was reported that Heathrow Airport Border Force staff had begun a four-day walkout, with over 300 staff members at terminals 2, 3, 4, and 5 taking part. The strike affected arrivals rather than departures, and workers protested job cuts and changes to their roster system. This was followed by another strike by Border Force staff on May 31, June 1, and 2, which coincided with the busy travel period during the country's school holidays.
The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union represented the Border Force officials and took action against Britain's interior ministry, which had implemented changes to their roster system. The union stated that around 250 Border Force staff were set to lose their jobs at passport control under the new roster plans. PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote expressed disappointment at the job cuts, stating that their members were "angry and disappointed at being forced out of their jobs."
In addition to the Border Force strikes, other airport workers at Heathrow also participated in industrial action. This included members of Unite, such as passenger services, trolley operations, and campus security, as well as firefighters and airside operations. They walked out for an entire week from May 7 to May 13, 2024, in protest of the airport's decision to outsource their work, which they believed would lead to reduced job security.
To manage the impact of the strikes, Heathrow Airport implemented contingency plans and stated that they would keep the airport operating smoothly. They reassured passengers that there would be no significant disruptions and that staff numbers had been increased to cope with the demand. However, passengers were still advised to check the airport's website and their flight status before traveling, as strikes can cause unexpected delays and cancellations.
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Cancelled strikes at Heathrow Airport in 2023
Heathrow Airport, one of the busiest aviation hubs in the UK, has witnessed its fair share of strikes and industrial action. These events can cause significant disruptions to travellers' plans, affecting both departures and arrivals. However, it's important to note that not all strikes at Heathrow Airport result in severe disruptions or cancellations. Let's take a look at some of the cancelled strikes at Heathrow Airport in 2023:
Cancelled Strikes in June 2023:
Unite, the union representing security staff at Heathrow Airport, planned a series of summer weekend strikes in 2023. These strikes were intended to address issues related to pay and working conditions. However, the first of these planned strikes, scheduled for June 24-25, was cancelled. This cancellation came as a result of improved pay negotiations between the union and Heathrow Airport Limited (HAL). The union's regional coordinating officer, Wayne King, acknowledged the progress made in a statement, noting that members would be balloted on the latest offer to decide if it met their expectations.
Cancelled Strikes in March 2023:
In March 2023, Heathrow Airport faced potential industrial action by Unite members, including Terminal 5 and campus security guards. This strike was averted, and the airport remained open and operational. John Holland-Kaye, the CEO of Heathrow, assured the public that even with planned walkouts, he did not anticipate any flight delays or cancellations.
While these specific strikes at Heathrow Airport were cancelled or did not result in significant disruptions, it's always advisable for travellers to stay updated and informed about potential industrial actions. Checking the airport's website and staying in contact with your airline are essential steps to take when planning your journey.
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Red Handling employees' strikes, including flight dispatchers, baggage handlers and check-in staff
Red Handling employees, including flight dispatchers, baggage handlers, and check-in staff, have been on strike due to issues such as unpaid pensions, late payments, and illegal shift patterns. This has impacted around 50 flights per day during one of the airport's busiest times. The strike action is a result of a dispute between the workers and Red Handling, with workers claiming that the company has played "fast and loose" with their retirement plans and has owed them pay for weeks. The union, Unite, has supported the workers, stating that the treatment by Red Handling has been "nothing short of a disgrace".
The strikes have caused disruption to travellers, with hundreds of workers rejecting a settlement offer from Red Handling. The company has stated that it has contingency plans in place to ensure safe and timely travel during the Easter weekend. However, travellers have been advised to prepare for possible disruption and to check their flight and booking status regularly, as negotiations are still ongoing.
The strikes by Red Handling employees are part of a larger trend of industrial action by airport workers in the UK. In 2024, border force workers at Heathrow Airport went on strike over pay and working conditions, causing potential delays and cancellations. Additionally, in 2025, Gatwick Airport workers announced industrial action during the Easter Bank Holiday weekend, which is expected to affect operations and cause disruption during one of the busiest travel times of the year.
While strikes by airport employees do not obligate airlines to compensate passengers for delayed or cancelled flights, airlines are still responsible for offering alternative flights or refunds. Additionally, for delays of two hours or more, airlines are required to provide refreshments and means of communication such as Wi-Fi. It is recommended that travellers check their airline's conditions and their travel insurance policies to understand their rights and options in the event of strike-related disruptions.
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Strikes in 2024 by UK border force workers over pay and working conditions
In 2024, UK border force workers took industrial action over pay and working conditions, impacting travellers' plans across the country. This came as part of a broader trend of strikes in the aviation industry, with staff shortages, stressful hours, and poor working conditions exacerbated by the cost of living crisis and pandemic-era pay cuts.
One notable example of these strikes occurred at Heathrow Airport, where more than 300 border force officers went on a four-day strike from April 28 to May 1, 2024. The action was organised by the Public and Commercial Services union (PCS), with members protesting against plans to introduce rosters that could result in job losses. The union's general secretary, Fran Heathcote, expressed disappointment that the Home Office was not granting any flexibility to their new roster.
During this strike, border force staff stopped working early in terminals 2, 3, 4, and 5, causing longer wait times at security. Heathrow Airport introduced a flexible policy that allowed customers to rebook their flights free of charge to avoid the busiest strike days. The airport also stated that it had contingency plans to minimise disruptions and avoid any impact on passenger journeys.
Following this, border force staff at Heathrow went on another four-day strike from May 31 to June 2, coinciding with a busy travel period during the country's school holidays. The PCS union members continued their protest against changes to their working conditions and roster system. Additionally, they refused to work overtime for three weeks from June 4.
The strikes by UK border force workers highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by the aviation industry, including staffing issues and the impact of the cost of living crisis. These strikes caused varying levels of disruption to travellers, with some airports implementing contingency plans to mitigate the effects.
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Frequently asked questions
Employees of Red Handling are striking due to issues including unpaid pensions, late payments, breaks between shifts, and "illegal" shift patterns.
In 2024, border force workers took action over pay and working conditions, impacting many travellers' journeys from UK airports. In 2025, strikes are expected to affect operations at Gatwick Airport during the Easter Bank Holiday weekend, from 18 April to 22 April.
Heathrow, Gatwick, and Manchester airports have all been impacted by strikes.
Travellers are advised to check their flight and booking status regularly, as negotiations are ongoing and strikes could be called off last minute. It is also recommended to check the airport website for advice on arrival times.
