Britons traveling from a major UK airport over Christmas and New Year may face delays due to a planned strike. Fuel suppliers to Edinburgh Airport are reportedly set to walk out because no pay offer has been agreed between North Air and Unite, “the nation’s leading aviation union”.
The strikes are reportedly scheduled to take place from the morning of December 18 and will last for 19 days until January 6, reports GB News.
Jet2 said: “We are aware of the measures being taken by third party fuel at Edinburgh Airport from 18 December 2024 to 6 January 2025.
“The situation is being closely monitored by our ground and operations teams. We plan to operate all flights as per schedule and our check-in desks will close 40 minutes before the scheduled departure time.
“We will also put contingency plans in place to ensure our flights continue to operate as normal and any disruption is kept to an absolute minimum.
“We will be in contact with customers immediately should there be any impact on their flight.”
Passengers have been asked to double-check their details on the Jet2 system so the airline can contact them with any updates.
The union stated that North Air had already agreed to significant pay increases in other sectors, including a 26.7 percent increase for Loganair cabin crew, a 12.8 percent increase for security staff at Aberdeen and a 12 percent increase for baggage handlers, customer service staff, and drivers in Glasgow.
However, Unite claimed that North Air has refused to engage in wage negotiations with the union.
The looming strike risks disrupting the travel plans of over 100,000 passengers expected to pass through Edinburgh Airport in the three days leading up to Christmas Eve.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “North Air is a very profitable company which can fully afford to make a fair offer to our members but has refused to do so.
“Unite will always support our members in their fight for better jobs, pay and conditions.
“North Air does not care about its workers or the traveling public. Unite has had no choice but to confirm impending industrial action.
“North Air now has very limited time to resolve this dispute. The company’s fighting power is at serious risk of causing widespread travel disruption at Edinburgh Airport over the Christmas holiday.”
