LEEDS, England, October 14, 2026 — Update to our earlier coverage. The air traffic controller strike planned at Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) for October 16–18 has been suspended after a late pay offer. Other walkouts are still possible: hourly-paid staff could still strike this weekend, and the half-term strike dates remain on the table.
What changed
- ATC strike suspended: Unite suspended the controllers’ walkout set for Friday, October 16, to Sunday, October 18, so members can vote on the new offer, the union said on October 13. The terms of the offer have not been published.
- Hourly-paid staff vote today: Security, check-in, passport control and passenger assistance staff are voting on a separate offer. Their ballot closes Wednesday, October 14. If they reject it, they will strike October 16–18.
- Half-term dates still live: If controllers reject their offer, strikes from October 23 to November 2 will go ahead. The Yorkshire Post says about 130 staff are set to strike in that window. The controllers’ vote closing date: TBA.
- Airport response: The airport called the suspension “reassurance for thousands of passengers.” It said it will have robust contingency plans if strikes go ahead.
Strike dates at a glance
| Dates | Who | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 16–18 | Air traffic controllers | Suspended |
| Oct 16–18 | Hourly-paid staff (security, check-in, passport control, passenger assistance) | On only if offer rejected (vote closes Oct 14) |
| Oct 23–Nov 2 | Air traffic controllers | On only if offer rejected (vote date TBA) |
What it means for travelers
- Do not count on this weekend yet. The hourly-staff vote result is due after today’s ballot closes. Check for news before you travel October 16–18.
- Half-term is the bigger risk. Unite says stoppages across its groups would bring the airport to a standstill. If you plan to fly October 23 to November 2, have a backup plan through Manchester or another nearby airport.
- Even without a strike, half-term flights tend to be busy. Check your flight status before you leave.
Sources
- Unite the Union — Leeds Bradford Airport air traffic controllers strike halted
- Yorkshire Post — Leeds Bradford Airport strike called off after ‘late offer’ in pay row
- Travel Extra — Leeds Bradford Airport strikes suspended
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