Jet2 issues fresh travel warning to Britons after planned strike action at major UK airport this Christmas

Birmingham New Street deserted as train drivers stage strikes
GB News
Lewis Henderson

By Lewis Henderson


Published: 14/12/2024

- 08:35

Strike action is planned to take place over the festive period

Britons travelling from Edinburgh Airport over Christmas and New Year's could face delays, as strike action is planned.

Fuel suppliers to the airport are walking out due to no pay offer being settled between North Air and Unite, the "nation’s leading aviation trade union".


The strikes are planned to start on the morning of December 18 and will last for 19 days until January 6.

Jet2 said: "We are aware of the action that is being undertaken by third-party fuellers at Edinburgh Airport from December 18 2024 to January 6 2025.

Edinburgh Airport

Over 100,000 people could be impacted in the three days up to Christmas

WikICommons

"The situation is being monitored closely by our ground and operations teams. We plan to operate all flights to schedule, and our check-in desks will close 40 minutes before the scheduled departure time.

"We will also be putting contingency plans in place to ensure that our flights continue to operate as normal and any disruption is kept to an absolute minimum.

"We will be in contact with customers directly should there be any impact on their flight."

Customers have been asked to make sure their details are correct on the Jet2 system so the airline can contact them with any updates.

Unite threatened strike action at the start of the month after declining a 4.5 per cent raise, believing that it should have matched other sectors.

The trade union said that North Air had already agreed to higher pay for several other sectors with a 26.7 per cent rise for Loganair cabin crew, a 12.8 per cent uplift for security staff in Aberdeen and a 12 per cent rise for baggage handlers, customer service and drivers in Glasgow.

Unite said that North Air refused to enter pay negotiations with the trade union.

The potential strike threatens to disrupt travel plans for more than 100,000 people who typically pass through Edinburgh Airport in the three days before Christmas Eve.

Queueing at airportBritons were warned to expect delaysGETTY IMAGES

Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham said: "North Air is a highly profitable company that 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 has no concern for their workers or the travelling public. Unite has had no option but to confirm imminent industrial action.

"North Air now has very limited time to resolve this dispute. The company's belligerence is at serious risk of causing widespread travel disruption at Edinburgh airport over the festive season."

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