Update on the 7th of July: This article covers an ongoing situation and will be updated accordingly. The strikes at Heathrow have been called off due to an agreement being reached, however strikes are still planned at Glasgow and Birmingham airports. There are also signs that workers at Manchester airport may vote for a strike.
Over the course of July 2023, airports in Glasgow and Birmingham will see a number of strike days. But will this throw off your summer plans? While strikes are planned for the 11th and 12th of July, it is difficult to say what the situation will look like going forward. Here is what we know so far.
Not many dates have been announced at the time of publishing, however we know that the following dates are likely to be impacted:
July:
Unlike 2022, when Security officers as well as campus security went on strike, this strike covers air traffic controllers.
Air traffic controllers are vital to the flow of transport at the airport and ensure safe journeys for every passenger.
Up to a third of all flights could be affected by a full blown strike. As air traffic controllers support all airlines within the UK and European airspace, it is difficult to say which airlines could be affected at this point.
Officials at the European air traffic management body have said that delays are inevitable as there are no contingency plan at the moment.
Ultimately, fewer air traffic controllers mean fewer flights able to take off and land safely, and a strike would mean delays and cancellations of up to 30% of all flights.
There’s no confirmed cancellations yet, but if you have flights booked keep an eye on any communications from your airline advising you on what to do. Many airlines have an app you can download to track your flight information and this is one of the easiest ways to get quick updates regarding your flight.
If your flight is cancelled, we have advice on what you can do available.
If you need any further detail about your rights if your flight is delayed or cancelled, check the terms and conditions with the individual airline that you have booked with to find out exactly what they can offer. For more detailed advice on any of these individual topics, have a look at the Citizen’s Advice website.