Passengers face significant disruption over the May Bank Holiday weekend as refuellers at Heathrow Airport prepare to strike for 72 hours from Saturday 4 May. The industrial action, by workers employed by Aviation Fuel Services (AFS), threatens to ground flights from 35 airlines, including Virgin Atlantic, Delta, Emirates, and Air France.
The dispute centres on changes to employment terms for staff recruited since January 2024. Unite the union claims AFS has imposed a two-tier workforce, offering new employees reduced pension and sickness benefits. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham condemned the company's actions, stating the union would not tolerate 'bully-boy tactics'.
The strike coincides with one of the busiest travel weekends of the year. In May 2023, Heathrow handled 6.7 million passengers. Additional disruption is expected from a separate strike by Border Force workers at the airport from 29 April to 2 May, followed by a work-to-rule action until 18 May.
Meanwhile, catering workers at Gatwick Airport employed by Dnata plan strikes on 26-29 April, 3-6 May, and 10-13 May. Passengers on easyJet and TUI flights may be unable to purchase food onboard during these periods.
