Summer Travel Chaos Looms as Hundreds of Scottish Airport Workers Back Strike Action

Hundreds of workers at Scotland’s two busiest airports have voted in favour of strike action in a growing dispute over pay, raising fears of major travel disruption during one of the busiest periods of the year.

Nearly 700 employees at Edinburgh and Glasgow airports supported industrial action in ballots organised by the Unite union, with potential walkouts expected to coincide with the summer holidays, the FIFA World Cup, and the Commonwealth Games.

The dispute involves workers employed by three different companies operating at the airports, including staff responsible for passenger services, security operations, engineering, and ground handling. Unite warned that any strike action could cause widespread delays and operational disruption across both airports.

At Edinburgh Airport, around 370 workers employed by Edinburgh Airport Limited are involved in the dispute. The affected employees include airport ambassadors, airside support officers, engineers, and management staff.

In Glasgow, approximately 320 workers employed by ICTS and Menzies Aviation also voted to strike. Their roles include ground services and assisting passengers in airport security search areas, positions considered essential to maintaining normal airport operations.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham accused the companies involved of prioritising profits over workers amid the ongoing cost-of-living pressures facing employees across the UK.

“These are wealthy companies choosing to boost profits before people,” Graham said, insisting that improved pay offers would be needed to avoid industrial action.

The union confirmed that strike dates would be announced in the coming days, intensifying concerns for travellers planning to fly during the peak summer season.

Carrie Donoghue, Unite’s industrial officer, said the action could significantly affect passengers and airport services during a period of exceptionally high demand.

“Strikes will severely disrupt planes and passengers during an extremely busy period with the World Cup, Commonwealth Games and summer holidays,” she said.

She added that the scale of support for strike action reflected growing frustration among workers and urged employers to return to negotiations with revised pay proposals.

One of the companies involved, Menzies Aviation, expressed disappointment at the strike threat but said preparations were already underway to reduce disruption if industrial action proceeds.

The company stated that contingency plans had been developed to maintain services and minimise the impact on passengers travelling through Glasgow Airport.

Meanwhile, a separate strike ballot involving around 70 workers at Aberdeen Airport remains ongoing in another dispute over pay. That vote is expected to conclude on 28 May, potentially widening industrial tensions across Scotland’s aviation sector.

The threat of coordinated airport strikes comes as airlines and airports prepare for one of the busiest travel periods since the pandemic recovery, with millions expected to travel across the UK and Europe over the summer.

Industrial disputes over pay and working conditions have affected several sectors across Britain in recent years, including transport, healthcare, education, and public services, as workers continue to demand wage increases to keep pace with inflation and rising living costs.

If negotiations fail to produce a breakthrough, passengers travelling through Scotland’s major airports could face delays, cancellations, and long queues at security and check-in areas during the crucial holiday season.