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This time of year, Britain’s airports get pretty rammed. The four-day Easter weekend is in just a few days time and, naturally, thousands and thousands of Brits will take it as an opportunity to get out of the country.
Anyone travelling abroad should prepare for big crowds and long queues from Good Friday to Easter Monday. But if you’ve got plans to take off from London Gatwick this weekend, you should be extra organised. Staff strikes are set to throw a spanner in the works.
Here’s everything you need to know about the strikes planned at the Gatwick over the long Easter weekend.
When are the Gatwick strikes?
If it goes ahead, the industrial action will start on Friday, April 18 and will last the entire Easter weekend until early morning on Tuesday, April 22.
Why are Gatwick staff striking?
Members of Unite working at Gatwick Airport are striking in reaction to several issues, including the ‘continued mishandling of the company pension scheme’.
Those walking out include staff who work for the ground handling firm Red Handling, including flight dispatchers, baggage handlers and check-in staff. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: ‘Workers have had enough of Red Handling playing fast and loose with their retirement plans and waiting weeks for pay they are rightfully owed for their hard work.
‘The union will not stand back and watch members be treated in such an appalling way and they have the full support of Unite in this dispute.’
Which airlines will be affected?
The action is expected to disrupt around 50 flights a day. The airlines affected by the walk-outs will include Delta, TAP, Air Peace and Norwegian Airlines.
Travellers can also expect to face long queues and delays and disruptions at check-in, so make sure to leave plenty of time ahead of when your flight’s due to take off.
Can I get compensation if a flight is affected by strikes?
Experts have warned that airlines aren’t obliged to offer financial compensation for delays caused by the strikes. Baggage handlers and flight dispatchers aren’t directly employed by airlines, so the strikes are considered an ‘extraordinary circumstance’ and out of their control.
Airlines still have a duty of care and are expected to organise refunds or replacement flights for their customers if there are major delays. They should also cover your food and accommodation if you need it while you wait to be placed on an alternative flight.
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