Security workers at Aberdeen Airport are set to go on strike for 14 days starting Monday, July 6, due to an ongoing pay dispute with ICTS, their employer. The strike, organized by Unite the Union, is expected to cause significant delays for passengers traveling through the Scottish hub during the summer holidays.
Strike Details and Expected Impact
Unite industrial officer Paula Buchan criticized ICTS for refusing to negotiate, stating: "ICTS would rather cause massive disruption at the airport than positively work with Unite to resolve this dispute. Strike action will cause significant delays at Aberdeen airport. ICTS still has time to return to talks with an offer workers can accept. A failure to do so will result in significant airport disruption."
Passengers are advised to prepare for potential travel chaos, including missed connecting flights. The strike coincides with the peak summer travel period, affecting many Scots heading on holiday.
Compensation Rules for Airport Strikes
According to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), under UK law, airlines must compensate passengers for flight delays or cancellations only if the disruption is the airline's fault. However, strikes by airport staff, ground handlers, air traffic control, or border force are classified as "extraordinary circumstances" beyond the airline's control. As a result, passengers affected by the Aberdeen Airport strike are not entitled to compensation.
Other extraordinary circumstances include adverse weather, security risks, terrorism, political unrest, and hidden manufacturing defects. In contrast, delays caused by airline staff strikes, pilot sickness without replacement, routine technical issues, or overbooking may qualify for compensation.
What Passengers Can Still Claim
Even without compensation, airlines have a duty of care under UK law. Citizens Advice states that if a flight is delayed by more than two hours for short-haul flights (under 1,500 km), the airline must provide food and drink, access to phone calls and emails, and accommodation if the delay is overnight, including transport between the airport and hotel.
These are typically offered as vouchers at the airport. If not provided, passengers should keep receipts for reasonable expenses and claim reimbursement from the airline later. Reasonable expenses exclude luxury hotels or expensive meals.
Passengers are encouraged to check with their airline for specific entitlements and to stay informed about the strike's progress.
