More than 130 workers at Leeds Bradford Airport are set to take strike action later this month in a dispute over pay, although the airport says it currently expects near-normal operations.
More than 130 workers at Leeds Bradford Airport are set to stage a 48-hour strike later this month following an ongoing dispute over pay.
Members of the Unite union, including air traffic control workers, security staff, cleaners and customer experience employees, are expected to take industrial action between Friday 16 and Sunday 18 October.
Hourly paid staff are due to walk out from 3am on Friday until 6am on Sunday, while air traffic control workers are expected to strike from 6am on Friday until 6am on Sunday.
Unite has warned the action could effectively bring the airport to a standstill, arguing that aircraft would be unable to arrive or depart without air traffic control staff.
However, Leeds Bradford Airport disputes that assessment and says it currently expects to maintain “near-normal operations” during the strike period.
The dispute follows pay negotiations after the end of a four-year pay agreement. Unite says discussions have been taking place since December 2025 and argues that some employees are now being paid less than people carrying out equivalent jobs at other airports.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said the airport could afford to return to negotiations with an improved offer, adding that workers should not be paid less than those doing comparable jobs elsewhere.
The airport says it has made what it considers a “fair and responsible” pay offer which is significantly above inflation.
A Leeds Bradford Airport spokesperson said the airport respected employees' right to participate in lawful industrial action but was disappointed by the decision to strike.
The airport also rejected criticism surrounding its profitability, saying profits generated by the business have been reinvested in facilities, infrastructure, operations and customer experience.
Both sides remain divided over the pay offer, although the airport says it remains committed to discussions with Unite in an effort to resolve the dispute and minimise disruption to passengers.
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