Full list of travel strikes set to cause holiday chaos for Brits
A NUMBER of travel strikes look set to threaten holiday plans for Brits over the coming weeks.
Last summer saw plenty of problems for travellers, some caused by walkouts, which looks set to be an issue once again this year – here is what you need to know.
Heathrow Airport
For starters, around 1,400 airport security staff have started eight days of industrial action at Heathrow just two days before the Coronation and the bank holiday weekend.
Unite workers, mainly at the airport’s fifth terminal, are walking out over a pay dispute, and will continue their strike until May 10.
Signs have been put up in the airport terminals, warning: “There may be some security delays due to industrial action.”
The union has warned that the strikes will cause “inevitable delays” although the airport has said that it is putting plans in place to avoid disruption as much as possible.
A spokesperson for Heathrow told the Independent: “Passengers can be reassured that they will travel as normal. This is an important time for the country, and we will not let these unnecessary strikes disrupt journeys.
“We have activated our contingency plans and deployed 750 additional colleagues and the entire management team who will be on-hand in the terminals providing assistance to passengers.”
The security staff will stage further strikes on 9–10 and 25–27 May.
Edinburgh Airport
Similar strikes could come to Edinburgh airport this year as well.
Around 275 Unite staff are staging a walkout ballot on Friday to decide whether or not to take industrial action.
French ATC
Airlines have already had to cancel flights because of strike action this month, with more than 40,000 passengers affected, according to Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary.
This was because of French air traffic control (ATC) strikes that affected not just flights into the country, but those flying over it too.
The walkouts were held over the Mayday bank holiday weekend and resulted in hundreds of cancellations.
Eurostar4Agents has warned that new days of mobilisation “may be announced by French unions at short notice”.
They advise: “Public transport and train connections may continue to be disrupted in France.
“Customers travelling to/from Paris or Lille should plan ahead and allow extra time for their journey.”
American Airlines
Strikes could also impact passengers heading to America and Ireland too.
American Airlines pilots have voted in favour of a strike, although the airline insists contract negotiations are “progressing”.
According to CNBC More than 99 per cent of pilots voted in favour of allowing their union to call a strike.
An American Airlines spokeswoman said: “The finish line is in sight.
“We understand that a strike authorisation vote is one of the important ways pilots express their desire to get a deal done and we respect the message of voting results.”
Aer Lingus
Aer Lingus‘ regional pilots could vote for a walkout by the end of the month as part of a continuing dispute over pay and working conditions.
The strike vote could begin at the end of May, or possibly sooner, according to the Irish Airline Pilots’ Association (IALPA).
Meanwhile, here’s how much you’re owed for cancelled or delayed flights – and what to do if airlines won’t pay up.
And these are the two flights you should book to avoid airport delays.