Flyers expecting to use a major United Kingdom airport in mid-October 2026 face severe disruption due to the announcement of a two-day strike at Leeds Bradford Airport by a range of staff, including air traffic control, security, and cleaners.
Taking place between 3:00 am on 16 October and 6:00 pm on 18 October 2026, the withdrawal of labour by Unite members will involve around 130 staff across different roles. The union says the walkout will paralyse operations because “no flights would be able to fly in and out without air traffic control and nobody would be able to depart or arrive without passport control.” It added: “There would also be nobody within the terminal to assist with passengers.”
The industrial action comes amid a ten-month dispute over pay and conditions at the regional hub, after the end of a four-year pay deal last December. Leeds Bradford handled a record 4.45 million customers during the last financial year, but Unite says pay rates have declined and points to pay disparities between staff members there and those working in similar roles at other similar airports, such as Newcastle (where 5.5 million flyers passed through during the same period).
The union notes the airport’s profitability, with a turnover of £61.5 million (around €70.9 million) for the year ending 31 March 2025, an increase of 14% over the previous year. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Our hardworking members should not be paid less than those doing the same jobs at other airports.”
The airport meanwhile has expressed disappointment at the union’s rejection of what it called “a fair and responsible” offer that is “significantly” above inflation. In a statement, it said its profits are reinvested into the airport and have been for years, and it condemned strike action as not “the right way to resolve the issues still under discussion.” It has insisted it will be able to “minimise disruption for customers” and run “near-normal operations” despite the walkout.
The contradictory statements from Unite and the airport authority on whether or not the airport will be operational leave prospective passengers in an uncertain situation. The airport or airlines currently have seven to 14 days to give flyers notice of any cancellations, which means, under UK law, passengers should be offered either a refund or an alternative booking slot, and they may be able to claim fixed sum compensation of up to £350 (around €412) depending on the timings of any alternative flights.
Passengers wishing to be proactive will need to check the terms and conditions of their own ticket booking, carrier, and any travel insurance when deciding whether or not to bring forward or postpone their own trips.
