Airport Disruptions Expected To Be Minimal Over Bank Holiday Weekend

Disruptions are to be expected at two of the major airports in the UK this Bank Holiday weekend as workers at Manchester and Gatwick airports have voted in favour of industrial action. However, fears that further disruption at Stansted could take place have been relieved following news that no official action will take place until at least Tuesday, if at all.

At Gatwick, some Swissport staff have voted in favour of industrial action following a dispute on overtime. This is likely to affect flights on Virgin Atlantic, Thomson, Flybe and Monarch. At Manchester Airport, some Swissport staff have also voted in favour of action from Thursday, which will affect flights on Etihad, Emirates, Virgin Atlantic and Monarch amongst others.

Despite the imminent action, disruption is expected to be minimal at both Gatwick and Manchester. A spokesperson at Manchester airport said: “We'd like to reassure passengers travelling over the bank holiday weekend that because the potential strike action only affects 300 staff out of a workforce of 20,000 at the airport, major disruption is highly unlikely. We continue to advise people to come to the airport as normal.”

At Stansted, union members have voted in favour of strike action, but the obligatory 7 day notice has yet to be given, so any action is not likely to take place until after Bank Holiday Monday – much to the relief of passengers who have booked cheap flights with Ryanair, Monarch and Thomson, which are served by Swissport staff.