Leeds Bradford Airport Workers Strike Over Pay Parity
Unite the Union has organized a 48-hour strike at Leeds Bradford Airport from October 16 to 18 to secure pay parity with other UK airports.
More than 130 workers at Leeds Bradford Airport will strike for 48 hours from October 16 to October 18, 2026, following a pay dispute. The industrial action involves air traffic control, security, cleaning, and customer experience staff. Hourly-paid employees will walk out from 3 a.m. Friday until 6 a.m. Sunday, while air traffic control staff will strike from 6 a.m. Friday until 6 a.m. Sunday.
Unite the Union argues that workers deserve pay parity with those at other UK airports, pointing to a record turnover of £61.5 million for the year ending March 31, 2025, and a recent 51 percent majority stake acquisition by the Spanish company AENA. Union leadership warns the action could force a total shutdown of the airport because flights cannot operate without air traffic control.
Leeds Bradford Airport management expressed disappointment over the strike, stating they have made a fair and responsible offer that is "significantly above inflation." The airport maintains that all profits are reinvested into infrastructure, such as the LBA:REGEN project. Despite the walkout, the airport anticipates running near-normal operations and minimizing passenger disruption.
