Brits face Christmas chaos as strike threatens flights from UK airport | United Kingdom | News

British tourists hoping to jet off for a winter break this Christmas could be hit by travel chaos as flights at a key UK airport face being ‘grounded’.

North Air fuel tank workers based at Edinburgh Airport are threatening to go on strike for almost three weeks over a pay dispute.

THE Unite The union says the walkout will begin at 5 a.m. on December 18 – exactly one week before Christmas. It will end at the same time on January 6.

The 19-day period is the expected busiest days of winter at the capital’s busiest airport, disrupting those planning to travel over Christmas and New Year.

Last year, Edinburgh Airport, used by 35 airlines serving 152 destinations, welcomed 14.4 million passengers, a considerable increase of 28% compared to 2022.

As North Air is the sole fuel provider for airlines flying out of Edinburgh Airport, Unite warns that a number of key routes “will be directly affected”.

The pay dispute concerns a rejected 4.5% pay offer from North Air after “years of below-inflation pay increases”, according to Unite.

The union says the company’s “belligerence” will “ground domestic and international flights during the holiday season.”

Unite warns that “prestigious routes including United Airlines to New York and Emirates to Dubai, as well as Loganair’s domestic routes to the islands, could be directly affected.”

Unite industrial manager Carrie Binnie said: “North Air does not care about its workers or the traveling public.

“The company’s belligerence seriously risks widespread disruption to travel at Edinburgh Airport over the festive period.”

A spokesperson for Edinburgh Airport said: “We are disappointed that both parties have failed to find a solution and urge them to continue discussions.

“We are working with our airlines to understand their contingencies to minimize disruption to passengers.”