Gatwick Airport Faces Disruption as Baggage Screeners Go on Strike

Strategic Insights -

Travel experts have warned that up to 600,000 passengers could face disruption at Gatwick Airport due to a baggage screeners' strike over the August Bank Holiday weekend. The strike, which involves staff employed by ICTS, is set to take place from August 22 to August 26 and again from August 29 to September 2. This could potentially cause chaos for thousands of holidaymakers flying with airlines such as easyJet, British Airways, Vueling, TUI Airways, and Wizz Air. During busy summer weekends, Gatwick processes up to 900 flights daily, meaning between 3,200 and 3,600 services could be disrupted across the four-day Bank Holiday period.

Key Takeaways:

  • Up to 600,000 passengers could face disruption at Gatwick Airport due to the baggage screeners' strike, with an estimated 150,000 passengers affected per day.
  • The strike involves staff employed by ICTS, a third-party airport contractor, and not airline employees, making it less likely for airlines to be held responsible for compensation under EU261/UK261 guidance.
  • However, airlines may still be required to provide meals and refreshments, two free phone calls or emails after two to three hours, depending on the distance of the flight, and hotel accommodation and transport in the unlikely event of a flight being rescheduled.
  • The carriers most likely to be hit by the strike include easyJet, British Airways, Vueling, TUI Airways, and Wizz Air, which account for a significant number of flights operated by Gatwick Airport.
  • Unite union officials have highlighted that ICTS workers are "amongst the lowest paid workers at the airport earning just above the minimum wage".
  • Gatwick Airport has described the planned walkouts as "an industrial matter with third-party suppliers" and stated that they are working with ICTS to avoid any impacts on flight schedules.

Statistics:

  • Up to 900 flights could be disrupted daily during the busy summer weekends, with an estimated 3,200 to 3,600 flights disrupted across the four-day Bank Holiday period.
  • Average passengers per flight is 165, covering both short and long-haul routes.
  • Estimated total passengers affected: 600,000.
  • Number of passengers affected per day: 150,000.
  • Number of flights affected: 3,200-3,600.

Sources:

  • Bristol Live
  • SkyRefund