HEALTHPLAN MAGAZINE

Potential travel disruptions for British tourists planning flights to Spain at the end of July and beginning of August are looming as nearly 1,000 staff at Gatwick Airport plan to launch a large-scale strike.

The strike, which was initially planned to take place on July 28, 29, 30, and 31, and then again on August 4, 5, 6, and 7, will now see some changes. The Unite union has announced that close to 600 DHL ground staff will no longer participate in the first phase of the strike, following an improved pay offer. This means the walkout will commence as planned on July 28 but with fewer workers involved.

The affected workers come from various roles, including ground handling staff, baggage handlers, and check-in personnel, and airlines such as Ryanair, TUI, British Airways, and Wizz, among others, will be impacted. In a statement, Unite regional officer Dominic Rothwell urged the remaining companies, including ASC, Menzies Aviation, and GGS, to reconsider their stance and put forward an offer that the workers will accept.

EasyJet, in particular, has already faced significant flight cancellations, with 1,700 flights from Gatwick already being canceled due to air traffic control issues, including the impending strikes.

For affected travelers, the airlines have promised to provide advance notice if their flights are impacted. However, it is still essential to check the status of your trip before heading to the airport on strike days. As the strikes coincide with the holiday season, Gatwick Airport is expected to be busier than usual, potentially leading to longer security queues. Passengers are advised to arrive at least two hours before short-haul flights and three hours before longer journeys to allow plenty of time.

In case of flight disruptions, affected passengers may be entitled to compensation and assistance from the airlines. Rocio Concha, Which? director of Policy and Advocacy emphasized that airlines should communicate effectively with passengers and offer refunds or rerouting options, even if it means booking seats on rival carriers. However, it's worth noting that the airlines are technically not obligated to provide refunds since the striking Gatwick Airport staff do not directly work for them.

As the situation remains fluid, with potential further strikes if the deal is rejected by DHL staff at Gatwick, travelers are advised to stay updated on any announcements from the airlines and unions.

Source: Murcia Today and BTN Europe

Image Credit: Mike McBey, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons