Major UK airport faces strike action over October half-term

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today.

Leeds Bradford airport could see strike action during October half-term, with 130 workers planning to walk out in a dispute over pay.

Members of the Unite union, including air traffic control workers, customer experience staff, security staff and cleaners, were due to walk out this week from 16 to 18 October.

Unite announced on Tuesday that this set of strikes has been suspended to “allow the air traffic controllers to be balloted on the new pay offer”.

Hourly paid staff, which includes security, check-in staff, passport control workers and passenger assistance, are being balloted on a separate offer, which closes tomorrow and could still strike as previously planned this weekend.

A further round of industrial action will still go ahead from 23 October to 2 November, which coincides with the busy half-term period, if this offer is rejected.

Unite regional officer Neil Whitaker said: “Following negotiations, we have suspended the air traffic controller strikes taking place this week to allow members to have their say on a new pay offer.”

Without air traffic control workers, flights will be grounded with no departures or arrivals from the aviation hub.

According to Unite, workers involved in the dispute have been in pay talks since December 2025.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “It is wrong that workers at Leeds Bradford airport are paid far less than those doing the same job at another nearby airport.

“These are essential workers who play a vital role in ensuring the smooth running of the airport and the safety of passengers and deserve fair pay. Unite will always fully back our members taking action at Leeds Bradford airport.”

Unite members are seeking pay parity with their colleagues at Newcastle airport, said the union.

Leeds Bradford airport is expected to handle around 4.5 million passengers this year.

It said in a statement that it respects “the right of employees to participate in lawful industrial action”.

The airport added: “However, we are disappointed by this and do not believe strike action is the right way to resolve the issues still under discussion.

“The airport has made what we believe is a fair and responsible offer that is significantly above inflation and reflects both current economic conditions and the need to ensure the long-term sustainability of the business.”

Leeds Bradford said that its priority is to “minimise disruption for customers”, adding that it anticipates “running near-normal operations during the period”.

Read more: easyJet strikes in Portugal threaten Christmas travel chaos with hundreds of flights grounded

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in