Planned industrial action by air traffic control staff at Leeds Bradford Airport has been suspended after the union said a "late offer" was made by the airport, paving the way for members to be balloted on revised terms.
What has happened
Unite announced that strikes by air traffic controllers, which had been due to begin on Friday and continue until Sunday, will not go ahead while the membership considers the new proposal. The suspension applies only to the controllers' action; separate ballots are under way for other frontline hourly paid staff, including security, check-in, passport control workers and passenger assistants. Those ballots could lead to strikes from Friday if the offers are rejected.
- Almost 130 Unite members at Leeds Bradford Airport are affected by the industrial action, the union said.
- Planned additional strikes between 23 October and 2 November remain possible if ballots reject offers.
- Unite highlighted a significant pay discrepancy between Leeds Bradford Airport and Newcastle Airport for the same role.
Pay comparison and union concerns
Unite claims that a starter air traffic controller at Leeds Bradford Airport earns about £34,000, compared with around £55,000 for the same role at Newcastle Airport. The union says this disparity is unjustifiable and has been a major factor in the dispute.
| Role | Leeds Bradford Airport | Newcastle Airport |
|---|---|---|
| Starter air traffic controller (approx.) | £34,000 | £55,000 |
"It is wrong that workers at LBA are paid far less than those doing the same job at another nearby airport," Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said.
Airport response and next steps
Leeds Bradford Airport welcomed the decision to suspend the air traffic controllers' strike and said it expects to be operating as normal over the coming weekend. In a statement the airport said it hoped a positive outcome could be achieved through the ballot process and emphasised that contingency plans remain in place to maintain safe and reliable operations regardless of the outcome.
Passengers planning travel to or from Leeds Bradford this weekend have been asked to check with their airlines and the airport for any last-minute updates. The airport has thanked customers for their patience and understanding during what it described as a period of uncertainty.
Local consequences
For residents and businesses in Leeds, strikes at the airport would have risked disruptions during a busy part of the autumn travel calendar, including the start of the school half-term period. Even with the suspension, the continuation of ballots for other frontline staff means the situation remains fluid. If either the controllers or other staff reject the offers, strikes could still coincide with the October half-term dates indicated by Unite.
The dispute centres on pay and parity with comparable roles elsewhere in the region. Any prolonged industrial action would not only affect passengers but could also have knock-on effects for local tourism, hospitality and transport sectors that rely on predictable airport operations.
