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Time Out
6 days ago
- Time Out
Glasgow Airport staff are going on strike this summer: full list of dates and airlines affected in July 2025
It wouldn't be summer holiday season without a bit of travel disruption. This year, strikes are already sweeping through Europe's airports, with walkouts in Spain, Italy and Germany causing headaches for holidaymakers. And the UK certainly isn't escaping from aviation-related industrial action this summer. Glasgow Airport is the next major British air travel hub that could next be impacted by strikes. Dozens of workers are planning to walk out later this month as part of action timed to coincide with one of the city's biggest holiday periods Planning on flying in or out of Glasgow in late July? Here's everything you need to know, so that you can plan ahead and avoid the worst of the strike action. When are the Glasgow Airport strikes this summer? The strike is set to run for 48 hours, kicking off at 6am on Wednesday July 24 and finishing at 5.59am on Friday July 26. The strike falls during Glasgow Fair fortnight, the city's long-standing July holiday when thousands of locals head off for their summer break. Why are Glasgow Airport staff striking? Short answer: money. Slightly longer answer: workers' current pay deal is up for negotiation, and airport bosses have apparently offered a 4 percent pay rise. Around 100 staff – including engineers, airside support officers and airport ambassadors – have said that's not good enough, with 98.7 percent voting to strike. Unite, the union representing the striking workers, says Glasgow Airport is offering the lowest pay rise of any employer on-site, despite being the most profitable. And they're accusing the company of ramping up the row instead of resolving it. As Unite's Pat McIlvogue put it: 'It is the only company escalating a dispute and they seem to be spoiling for a fight rather than trying to resolve the dispute.' Meanwhile, two other disputes at the airport are also bubbling away. Around 250 security workers (employed by ICTS) and 100 ground-handling staff (employed by Swissport) have been offered revised deals, which are now going to a new ballot. If those offers are rejected, further strikes could follow. Which airlines will be affected? No airlines have announced cancellations yet, and airport representatives say there are contingency plans in place to keep things running smoothly. If the strike goes ahead, any airline flying in or out of Glasgow could well be affected. If you're travelling during that period, potentially expect delays, longer queues, and slower turnarounds. Definitely bring a book (or two). Can I get compensation if a flight is affected by strikes? Probably not. Because the striking workers are employed by the airport – not the airlines – the disruption is likely to be classed as an 'extraordinary circumstance'. That means airlines aren't legally required to offer compensation under UK passenger rights rules. That said, airlines still owe customers a duty of care. If your flight is delayed or cancelled, you should be offered a refund or an alternative flight, plus food, drinks and accommodation if you're stuck for a while. What have employers and Glasgow airport said about the strikes? Glasgow Airport says it is 'extremely disappointed' that strike notice has been served. A spokesperson for AGS Airports (which owns and operates the airport) said: 'We have been in talks with Unite since March during which time we have made several improved and fair offers against a backdrop of a challenging operating environment. 'We have tabled an offer of 4 percent, which represents an above-inflation pay increase. Despite reaching agreement with 80 percent of our staff across AGS Airports over pay, our offer has been rejected by 75 members of staff at Glasgow Airport who, through Unite, have informed us they wish to embark on strike action. 'We will now proceed with our contingency plans to ensure we minimise any disruption for our airlines and passengers.' The airport has also said it remains open to finding a 'sensible resolution'. Let's hope there's a fair offer in time for Fair fortnight.
Daily Record
11-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Holidaymakers face summer travel chaos as Glasgow Airport strikes confirmed this month
Ambassadors, airside support officers, engineers and managers are set to walk out for two days later this month. Holidaymakers in Scotland will face travel chaos this summer as strike action has been confirmed at Glasgow Airport this month. Ambassadors, airside support officers, engineers and managers will down their tools in a two-day walkout in an ongoing dispute over pay. Around 100 workers are expected to take part in the industrial action. Unite the Union, which represents the staff, said that 98.7 per cent of its members at the airport voted in favour of strikes after rejecting a four per cent pay rise. It claims to have made repeated offers to restart negotiations with management, however, it has been told that no new pay offer will be made. Members will walk out for 48 hours from 6am on Thursday, July 24 until 6am on Saturday, July 26. The disruption is expected to affect thousands of holidaymakers setting off on their summer getaways. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: 'Summer strike action is now inevitable unless Glasgow Airport 's new owners come to their senses. "We will support our members every step of the way in their fight for better jobs, pay and conditions.' Pat McIlvogue, Unite industrial officer, said: ' Glasgow Airport Limited is making the lowest pay offer despite it being the most profitable company at the airport. "It is the only company escalating a dispute and they seem to be spoiling for a fight rather than trying to resolve the dispute. 'We have just successfully resolved another pay dispute involving hundreds of ICTS workers at the airport. "The latest deal adds to the growing list of companies at the airport where agreements have been secured through negotiation covering hundreds of workers.' Elsewhere, more than 100 Swissport workers remain in a dispute over working rotas and work-life balance, plus health and safety concerns. Workers provide ground handling services to many major airlines, including ticketing and baggage handling. A consultative ballot on a new offer made by Swissport to address these outstanding issues has been put to the workforce. If this offer is rejected, Unite will move to open a full industrial action ballot. The Record has approached Glasgow Airport for comment. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Scottish Sun
11-07-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Thousands of holidaymakers face summer travel chaos & major disruption at Scots airport THIS MONTH
Find out the exact dates below STRIKE OUT Thousands of holidaymakers face summer travel chaos & major disruption at Scots airport THIS MONTH Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THOUSANDS of holidaymakers are facing major disruption at a Scots airport this month. Unite the union confirmed 100 workers are set to walk out in a dispute over pay. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Thousands of holidaymakers are facing major disruption this month Credit: Alamy Last week, 98.7% of Unite members at Glasgow Airport voted in favour of industrial action after rejecting a 4% pay rise. The union said it made repeated offers to restart negotiations with management but has been told that no new pay offer will be made. The workers include airport ambassadors, airside support officers, engineers and managers. Members will go on strike for 48 hours from 6am on Thursday, July 24, until 6am on Saturday, July 26. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Summer strike action is now inevitable unless Glasgow Airport's new owners come to their senses. "We will support our members every step of the way in their fight for better jobs, pay and conditions." Pat McIlvogue, Unite industrial officer, added: 'Glasgow Airport Limited is making the lowest pay offer despite it being the most profitable company at the airport. "It is the only company escalating a dispute and they seem to be spoiling for a fight rather than trying to resolve the dispute.' Meanwhile, more than 100 Swissport workers remain in a dispute over working rotas, work-life balance, and health and safety concerns. Workers provide ground handling services to many major airlines, including ticketing and baggage handling. Incredible 'airport of the future' revealed - with no queues or long waits A consultative ballot on a new offer made by Swissport closes on July 14. If this offer is rejected, Unite said it will launch a full industrial action ballot. AGS Airports, which manages Glasgow Airport, was approached for comment.
Scotsman
10-07-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Summer strikes to hit Glasgow Airport as around 100 workers to take industrial action
Workers set to strike include airport ambassadors, airside support officers, engineers and managers. Sign up for the latest news and analysis about Scottish transport Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Workers are set to strike at one of Scotland's busiest airports this summer in a decision that threatens to cause major disruption for travellers. About 100 workers at Glasgow Airport will take action as union Unite's pay dispute with the terminal's owners escalates. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The industrial action is set to take place from 6am on Thursday, July 24 to 5.59am on Saturday, July 26. Workers include airport ambassadors, airside support officers, engineers and managers. The trade union revealed that despite repeated offers to restart negotiations in an attempt to resolve the pay dispute, Unite has been informed that no new pay offer will be made to the workers. Unite said it had been left with 'no option' but to announce the strike dates. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Thousands are preparing to fly from the airport this summer. | AFP via Getty Images Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: 'Summer strike action is now inevitable unless Glasgow Airport's new owners come to their senses. We will support our members every step of the way in their fight for better jobs, pay and conditions.' Glasgow Airport Limited made £40.65 million in its latest recorded accounts. AviAlliance, a subsidiary of PSP Investments, acquired AGS Airports, which includes Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Southampton airports, in a £1.53 billion deal in January. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Last week, 98.7 per cent of Unite members at Glasgow Airport Limited backed industrial action to secure a better pay offer after rejecting a basic 4 per cent pay rise. Swissport workers remain in dispute More than 100 Swissport workers remain in a dispute over working rotas and work-life balance, plus health and safety concerns. The workers provide ground handling services to many major airlines, including ticketing and baggage handling. A consultative ballot on a new offer made by Swissport to address these outstanding issues has been put to the workforce. The ballot ends on July 14. If this offer is rejected, Unite say they will move to open a full industrial action ballot. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Pat McIlvogue, Unite industrial officer, said: 'Glasgow Airport Limited is making the lowest pay offer despite it being the most profitable company at the airport. It is the only company escalating a dispute and they seem to be spoiling for a fight rather than trying to resolve the dispute.' Disputes involving around 740 workers have been successfully resolved through negotiation at Glasgow Airport. | Getty Images Meanwhile, Unite confirmed it has now successfully negotiated a pay deal covering 250 ICTS central search workers at Glasgow Airport. The workers, who deal with passengers directly in the security search area and process them for flights, have secured a basic pay increase of 5 per cent. The ICTS deal means that disputes involving around 740 workers have been successfully resolved through negotiation at Glasgow Airport. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad This includes around 300 Menzies Aviation workers securing a pay deal, which includes a 4 per cent minimum increase for new starters and up to 10 per cent for workers, depending on grades. A total of 50 Falck firefighters who perform fire safety functions at the airport also accepted a basic wage increase of 4.5 per cent. There have been wage wins for more than 140 workers based at Glasgow airport employed by ABM and OCS. A spokesperson for AGS Airports, which owns and manages Glasgow Airport, said: 'We are extremely disappointed with Unite's decision to serve notice of industrial action. 'We have been in talks with Unite since March during which time we have made several improved and fair offers against a backdrop of a challenging operating environment. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We have tabled an offer of 4%, which represents an above-inflation pay increase. 'Despite reaching agreement with 80% of our staff across AGS Airports over pay, our offer has been rejected by 75 members of staff at Glasgow Airport who, through Unite, have informed us they wish to embark on strike action.
BBC News
04-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Glasgow Airport summer of strike action looming
About 100 workers at Glasgow Airport could be on strike within weeks in a dispute over the union said the first date of potential action would be 18 July after its members rejected a 4% pay offer and backed industrial action. A further 350 security and ground handling staff, who are not directly employed by the airport, are also involved in separate ongoing disputes but have been made a fresh pay offer. Glasgow Airport said it remained open to finding a sensible resolution to the dispute with its staff. Glasgow Airport is Scotland's second-busiest airport after Edinburgh and the threat of strike days comes during its traditional Glasgow Fair fortnight and busy summer months. The dispute with around 100 of its own employees includes airport ambassadors, airside support officers, engineers and McIlvogue, regional industrial Oofficer for Unite, told the BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme that industrial action, which was backed by 98.7% of these workers, would have "a significant impact which we are keen to avoid".He said: "We don't want to affect the travelling public."My call to Glasgow Airport Limited is to contact us today and set a date for talks, put a meaningful offer on the table for our members' consideration and we will not serve strike notice of the Glasgow Fair weekend." Which airport workers are involved in industrial disputes? A further 350 people who work at Glasgow Airport are also involved in ongoing industrial disputes. This includes 250 workers who deal with passengers in the security search area, and are employed by a firm called ICTS, and 100 ground handling workers employed by Swissport. Unite has said it will be taking new offers from both firms to a further ballot of members. A spokesperson for Glasgow Airport said: "We are reviewing the ballot results and remain open to finding a sensible resolution."A spokesperson for Swissport said: "Our priority is the safety and wellbeing and fair treatment of our workforce, alongside maintaining high standards of service for our customers and we remain committed to working constructively with Unite to find a fair and sustainable resolution."ICTS has been approached for a response.
