Yorkshire Flights Face Disruption As Airport Workers Announce Weekend Strike Action

Almost 130 workers at Leeds Bradford Airport will walk out over a pay dispute in mid-October, though airport bosses anticipate running near-normal operations.

Holidaymakers and business travellers face potential disruption as almost 130 workers at Leeds Bradford Airport prepare for weekend strike action in a dispute over pay.

Air traffic controllers, security staff, cleaners, and customer experience workers will walk out from Friday, 16 October, until Sunday, 18 October.

Operations at the transport hub could shut down entirely, according to the Unite union. Union representatives claim no flights will be able to arrive or depart without air traffic control, and nobody will be able to pass through passport control. They also warned there would be no staff within the terminal to assist passengers.

However, airport bosses say near-normal operations are anticipated during the strike period, with airport officials stating their priority is to minimise disruption for customers who have saved for important holidays, family visits, and business travel.

Pay talks have been ongoing since December 2025. Workers recently concluded a four-year pay deal, but union representatives argue that staff in some departments have fallen behind their counterparts at other airports in equivalent roles, and that the formal offer does not address the lack of pay parity.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said:

"Leeds Bradford Airport is very profitable and can more than afford to come back to the table with an offer that doesn't fall short of our members' expectations.

Our hardworking members should not be paid less than those doing the same jobs at other airports. Workers taking action at Leeds Bradford Airport have Unite's full support in their fight for fairer pay."

Financial figures show the airport reported a record turnover of £61.5 million for the year ending 31 March 2025, representing a 14 per cent increase from £54 million the previous year.

Passenger numbers have also grown year-on-year, with the transport hub on course to handle approximately 4.5 million travellers this year, flying to popular holiday destinations including Alicante, Tenerife, and Antalya.

In May, a 51 per cent majority stake in the airport was acquired by the Spanish company AENA as part of a £270 million holding company deal.

Despite these financial successes, airport management expressed disappointment over the industrial action, arguing that a strike is not the right way to resolve the issues still under discussion.

A fair and responsible offer has been made that is significantly above inflation, according to airport officials. They stated the proposal reflects current economic conditions and the need to ensure the long-term sustainability of the business.

Thousands of customers and local businesses rely on the airport to connect Yorkshire to the world, and officials acknowledged that the industrial action has the potential to cause inconvenience.

Profits generated by the transport hub are reinvested back into facilities, infrastructure, operations, and customer experience. This includes the ongoing LBA:REGEN project, which saw the opening of a new central search zone and staff welfare facilities this week.

Unite regional officer Neil Whitaker said:

"We know people who have flights planned to and from Leeds Bradford Airport will be concerned to hear of industrial action, however our members have no choice but to strike.

The airport is profitable, passenger numbers are growing and our members are a major part of its success. They deserve a fair pay rise, and management must come back to the table to deliver this."

Hourly paid staff will strike from 3:00 am on Friday, 16 October, to 6:00 am on Sunday, 18 October. Air traffic control workers will join the walkout from 6:00 am on the Friday until 6:00 am on the Sunday.

Constructive dialogue remains a priority for the airport, with officials welcoming continued discussions aimed at reaching a resolution while maintaining safe operations for passengers.