(Image: UGC)
An airport used by thousands of residents in York and North Yorkshire faces potential disruption as nearly 130 workers take industrial action over pay.
The strike at Leeds Bradford Airport is set to begin at 3am on Friday, October 16, and involves workers from air traffic control, customer experience, security, and cleaning teams.
The industrial action will run until 6am on Sunday, October 18, with air traffic control staff beginning their strike from 6am on the Friday.
Unite the union said the dispute centres on pay, with workers seeking parity with colleagues at other UK airports.
The union warned that the action would "force a total shutdown of the airport, with no flights able to operate and no staff available to assist passengers within the terminal".
However, Leeds Bradford Airport has dismissed that claim, insisting it was working "to minimise disruption" for customers and anticipated "running near-normal operations during the period".
Discussions have been ongoing since December 2025, but Unite said the airport’s formal offer did not address pay discrepancies.
Sharon Graham, general secretary of Unite, 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."
Recommended reads:
Unite said that for the year ending March 31, 2025, Leeds Bradford Airport reported a turnover of £61.5 million, up 14 per cent from £54 million the previous year.
In May, Spanish company AENA acquired a 51 per cent majority stake in the airport through a £270 million deal.
Neil Whitaker, regional officer for Unite, 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."
Leeds Bradford Airport has expressed its 'disappointment' at the proposed industrial action due to take place between October 16-18 involving a group of operational workers.
In a statement, 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.
"Our priority now is to minimise disruption for customers, many of whom have worked hard and saved for important holidays, family visits and business travel.
"At this stage we anticipate running near-normal operations during the period.
"Leeds Bradford Airport plays a vital role in connecting Yorkshire to the world. Industrial action has the potential to cause inconvenience for thousands of customers and local businesses who rely on those connections.
"We remain committed to constructive dialogue with Unite and would welcome continued discussions aimed at reaching a resolution.
"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.
"Our focus remains on serving Yorkshire, supporting our colleagues and maintaining safe airport operations."
What do you think?
Feel strongly about an issue? Write us a letter. Please write no more than 250 words and you must provide your full name, address and mobile number. Send your views by email to: letters@thepress.co.uk