Baggage handlers and plane refuelers at Gatwick Airport are due to go on strike starting this Friday.
Two companies, Red Handling and Red Line, are planning industrial action for various dates – both of which coincide with the May half-term holiday in England and Wales.
Here we look at when the strikes are planned and what you can do if your flight is affected.
When are the strikes happening?
Red Handling and Red Line staff are striking on different days – but both coincide with the May half-term holiday in England and Wales from 26 to 30 May.
Around 100 Red Handling employees, who work across baggage handling, check-in, and flight dispatching, are due to walk out on 18 May, 25 May, and 1 June.
Red Line Oil Services, which runs plane refueling operations at Gatwick, are on strike between 16 and 20 May and 23 and 27 May.
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The second week of Red Line’s industrial action is likely to cause the most disruption with hundreds of thousands due to fly abroad for the school holidays.
Red Handling strikes were due to start on 11 May but were suspended for a week amid ongoing negotiations between its union and the company.
Which airlines will be affected?
More than 40 airlines operate from Gatwick – across 150 short-haul and 40 long-haul destinations.
It is the largest UK hub for easyJet, with Ryanair, British Airways, TUI, Vueling and Wizz all flying from there too.
Both easyJet and Ryanair say they do not anticipate any impact to their customers.
What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed?
If your flight is delayed or cancelled as a result of strikes by airline staff, you are entitled to compensation or a refund.
However, strikes by third-party companies such as air traffic controllers, are not usually covered – as they are considered “extraordinary circumstances” under UK261 – the UK equivalent of EU aviation regulation.
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This could mean you are left out of pocket by this month’s action – with those due to fly on the affected dates advised to consider their own contingency plans.
Scott Dixon, a consumer and motoring disputes expert, says: “Industrial action by third-party staff, like baggage handlers or refuellers, is usually treated as an ‘extraordinary circumstance’ and outside of the airline’s control.
“Check your travel insurance policy to see if it covers strike-related delays or cancellations, especially if the strikes were announced before you bought your ticket.”
He adds: “Evidence is key on all complaints. Keep all receipts and records of expenses and take screenshots of communication from the airline.
“Use the airline’s official complaints process first. Airlines often stonewall these complaints and blatantly flout the law, knowing the majority of affected passengers will give up.”
Last-minute ‘wildcat’ strikes by third-party companies, which don’t have the support of an official union, are not exempt under the ‘extraordinary circumstance’ criteria after the ruling by European judges in the German case of Helga Krusemann and others v TUIfly that airlines must provide compensation to ensure passengers arrive in their destination as planned.
Why are staff striking – and what do they want?
Staff at both companies are represented by Unite the Union, which claims employees are being underpaid, paid late, suffering missed or incorrect pension payments, and not getting proper breaks.
Red Handling staff were offered a 4.25% salary increase this year – and 3% rise next year, alongside their sickness waiting period being reduced from three days to two, but they rejected the deal.
They were then offered the 4.25% salary increase as part of a one-year deal but rejected this as well.
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Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Workers at both companies have had enough of poor pay offers and appalling treatment from their employers and it is little surprise they are taking strike action. We will back our members at Red Handling and Redline all the way during these disputes.”
What have Gatwick, airlines, and striking companies said?
A Gatwick spokesperson told Sky News they are “working closely with both parties and our airlines to minimise impacts to passengers”.
“Of course, we hope Red Handling, Redline Oil and their unions can reach a resolution before then,” their statement added.
EasyJet said in a separate statement: “Should any action go ahead, contingency plans that we have been advised are in place mean we do not expect any impact and our flying programme which is currently planned to operate normally, so nothing different should be suggested.”
