Holidaymakers flying from the UK to Tenerife and other destinations should be prepared for potential disruptions this Easter weekend due to planned strikes in several European holiday hotspots.
With 11,282 flights scheduled to depart from UK airports alone, Easter weekend is expected to be especially busy. Travelers are urged to regularly check their flight status, as ongoing negotiations may lead to last-minute cancellations or changes.
At Gatwick Airport, the UK’s second busiest, strike action is set to begin on Good Friday, April 18, and end early on April 22. The strike will involve baggage handlers, check-in staff, and flight dispatchers for airlines such as Norwegian, Delta, TAP, and Air Peace. The Unite union, which represents the workers, has warned that the action will affect around 50 flights daily, leading to long queues and possible delays at check-in counters.
The strikes follow the rejection of a settlement offer by hundreds of workers from Red Handling, the company at the center of the dispute. Unite states that the industrial action is in response to several issues, including unpaid pensions, delayed payments, and “illegal” shift patterns.
Despite the disruptions, Red Handling has assured that it has contingency plans in place to minimize the impact and ensure “safe and timely” travel over the Easter weekend.
