(Image: Martin Appleyard: T&A Camera Club)
Leeds Bradford Airport could be brought to a standstill later this month after more than 130 workers announced strike action, but the airport says it expects "near-normal operations".
Members of the Unite union, including air traffic control workers, customer experience staff, security staff and cleaners, are set to walk out for 48 hours between October 16 and 18 amid an ongoing pay dispute.
Unite has warned the industrial action could effectively bring the airport to a standstill and said workers had "no choice" but to take action after pay talks failed to produce an acceptable offer.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Leeds Bradford Airport is very profitable and can more than afford to come back to the table with an offer that doesn't fall short of our members' expectations.
"Our hardworking members should not be paid less than those doing the same jobs at other airports.
"Workers taking action at Leeds Bradford Airport have Unite's full support in their fight for fairer pay."
Pay offer 'significantly above inflation'
Leeds Bradford Airport said it was disappointed by the planned industrial action and insisted it had made a pay offer that was "significantly above inflation".
A spokesperson for the airport said: "We respect the right of employees to participate in lawful industrial action.
"However, we are disappointed by this and do not believe strike action is the right way to resolve the issues still under discussion.
"The airport has made what we believe is a fair and responsible offer that is significantly above inflation and reflects both current economic conditions and the need to ensure the long-term sustainability of the business."
The airport added that it currently anticipated running "near-normal operations" during the strike period despite Unite's warnings of widespread disruption.
Why are workers striking?
The dispute centres on pay negotiations following the end of a four-year pay deal.
Unite said talks have been ongoing since December 2025 and that some departments have fallen behind equivalent roles at other airports.
Strike action is due to begin at 3am on Friday, October 16, and continue until 6am on Sunday, October 18, for hourly paid staff.
Air traffic control workers will strike from 6am on October 16 until 6am on October 18.
Unite claims the action would effectively shut down the airport because flights would be unable to arrive or depart without air traffic control staff, while passport control and passenger assistance services would also be affected.
Workers have 'no choice but to strike'
Unite regional officer Neil Whitaker said: "We know people who have flights planned to and from Leeds Bradford Airport will be concerned to hear of industrial action, however our members have no choice but to strike.
"The airport is profitable, passenger numbers are growing and our members are a major part of its success. They deserve a fair pay rise, and management must come back to the table to deliver this."
The union also pointed to the airport's financial performance, noting Leeds Bradford Airport reported a turnover of £61.5 million for the year ending March 31, 2025, up 14 per cent from £54m the previous year.
Unite further highlighted the airport's partial takeover by Spanish company AENA earlier this year, when the company acquired a 51 per cent majority stake as part of a £270 million holding company deal.
Airport response
Responding to the union's comments on profitability, Leeds Bradford Airport said any profits generated by the business are reinvested into the airport.
The spokesperson said: "It is important to recognise that any profits generated by Leeds Bradford Airport are reinvested back into the airport and has been for a number of years.
"Those funds support improvements to facilities, infrastructure, operations and customer experience including the ongoing LBA:REGEN project which saw the opening of a new central search zone and staff welfare facilities this week."
The airport said its priority was to minimise disruption to passengers, many of whom may have booked holidays, family visits and business trips during the strike period.
It added that it remained committed to constructive discussions with Unite in an effort to resolve the dispute, with a focus on supporting staff and maintaining safe airport operations.