LEEDS, England, October 5, 2026 — About 130 workers at Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA), including air traffic controllers and security staff, will strike from Friday, October 16, to Sunday, October 18. Their union, Unite, says no flights will be able to operate. The airport says it expects to run close to normal.
What happened
- Announced: Monday, October 5.
- Who: about 130 Unite members working in air traffic control, security, customer experience and cleaning.
- Why: pay. A four-year pay deal has ended, and Unite says some departments earn less than the same roles at other airports. Talks began in December 2025, and the union says the airport’s formal offer falls short.
- The union’s view: Unite says the airport faces a “standstill”, because flights cannot run without air traffic control.
- The airport’s view: it is disappointed, says its offer is significantly above inflation, and expects “near-normal operations”. The reports do not say how it would cover air traffic control.
- Airlines affected: neither report names any. Airline schedule changes or waivers: TBA.
| Group | Strike starts | Strike ends |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly-paid staff (security, customer experience, cleaning) | 3:00 a.m. Friday, October 16 | 6:00 a.m. Sunday, October 18 |
| Air traffic controllers | 6:00 a.m. Friday, October 16 | 6:00 a.m. Sunday, October 18 |
The strike could still be called off if the two sides reach a deal. Further strike dates: TBA.
What it means for travelers
- Avoid Leeds Bradford on Friday, October 16, and Saturday, October 17, and on the first flights of Sunday, October 18. Until the airport shows how it would staff the tower, treat every flight in that window as at risk.
- The days either side will be busier. If flights are cancelled, passengers are moved onto the days either side, so expect fuller flights on October 15, 18 and 19.
- If flights do run with security staff on strike, allow much more time for screening.
- Pick another airport for that weekend if you can. Diverted demand will fill seats at nearby airports too.
- Watch for a settlement. A deal would cancel the strike, so check again in the days before you travel.
Sources
- Yorkshire Evening Post — ‘Our members have no choice’: Leeds Bradford Airport faces ‘standstill’ as 130 workers set to strike
- The Hoot Leeds — Leeds Bradford Airport set for complete ‘shutdown’ as 130 workers go on strike
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