Gatwick Airport Braces for Operational Challenges as Workers Prepare for Strike
Concerns have emerged over potential operational hurdles at London’s Gatwick Airport as nearly 1,000 workers plan to stage an eight-day strike later this month, according to a report by Sky News on Friday.
Unite, the union representing the staff, which includes baggage handlers and check-in staff, announced the strike in response to an ongoing pay dispute coinciding with the start of the school summer holidays.
The union confirmed that significant disruption, delays, and cancellations are “inevitable” during the strike period. The industrial action will take place in two phases, with the workers initially striking for four days from July 28 (Friday) to August 1 (Tuesday), followed by another four-day strike from August 4 (Friday) to August 8 (Tuesday).
Unite stated in a press release that given the scale of the industrial action, disruption, delays, and cancellations will be experienced across the entire airport.
The strike threat adds to the existing challenges faced by the aviation industry this summer, as air traffic controllers in Europe have also initiated strike action. The media outlet reported that up to 12,600 flights per day, approximately one-third of peak summer holiday journeys across the continent, could be subject to delays or cancellations due to these industrial actions.
Gatwick Airport, situated approximately 30 miles south of London, has expressed its commitment to supporting airlines in implementing contingency plans to ensure scheduled flights operate smoothly. The airport serves as a crucial hub for leisure flights to popular beach destinations in southern Europe, with airlines such as easyJet, TUI, and British Airways operating hundreds of daily flights.
To mitigate potential disruptions, easyJet has already made adjustments to its summer flight schedule, including a 2% reduction, primarily at Gatwick, in response to concerns over air traffic control issues impacting its operations.
