Tourists passing by London Gatwick Airport (LGW) have been told to prepare for delays and cancellations ahead of ground handler strikes in the coming weeks.
Around 1,000 employees in the UK’s busy heartland will go on strike from July 28 to August 1, and then again from August 4 to August 8. will take place during the start of the UK school holidays.
Gatwick Airport is expected to operate an average of 441 departures daily during the strike period, according to the aviation analytics firm Syria.
Union Solidarityrepresenting workers concerned, said “severe delays, disruptions and cancellations” are expected, affecting flights by several airlines, including British Airways, EasyJet, Ryanair, Tui Airways and Wizz Air.
The widespread strike will involve workers employed by four ground handling companies: ASC Cargo Handling, Menzies Aviation, Gatwick Ground Services and DHL Services Limited.
Related: This is when European airports and trains prepare to go on strike this summer
“Strike action will inevitably cause significant delays, disruptions and cancellations in Gatwick operations but this dispute is entirely brought up by the companies themselves,” said Dominic Rothwell, regional officer for Gatwick. Unite, said. “They had every opportunity to make a fair pay offer to our members but chose not to do so.”
The union claims to have been negotiating with each of the companies involved since January. So far, no agreement has been met to stop the strikes.
Related: Tips to avoid travel chaos in Europe this summer
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Sharon Graham, general secretary of Unite, said: “Our members at Gatwick Airport take on extremely demanding roles and are essential to keeping the airport and airlines running, but their employer somehow thought it was acceptable to pay them a small amount.”
A spokesman for Gatwick Airport said: “We are aware of the recent voting results. “London Gatwick will assist affected airlines, who have contracts with third-party check-in and ground handling companies, with their contingency plans to ensure that as many flights as possible are available. fly as much as possible operate on a schedule.”
This most recent strike announcement will put further strain on Sussex airport, which was hit by EasyJet last week cancel 1,700 summer flights due to air traffic control delays.
Elsewhere, the European Organization for Aviation Safety, commonly known as Eurocontrol, in the first day of this month have warned of mass strikes of their own, which could threaten up to a third of flights to and from the continent this summer. So far, the date of any impending Eurocontrol strike has not been announced.
bottom line
The UK once again looks set for a summer hit by strikes at some of its major aviation hubs.
While Gatwick Airport is working to minimize disruption, if you’re traveling during this time, we recommend that you arrive at the airport immediately and check the status of your flight with your airline. on the date of departure and the days before.
