LEEDS, England, Oct. 20, 2026 — A planned 11-day strike at Leeds Bradford Airport that would have covered the October half-term holiday has been called off for now. The Unite union suspended the walkout to allow pay talks, and the airport says it expects to run normally over half term.
What happened
- Who: Unite members at Leeds Bradford Airport, including air traffic controllers and hourly paid staff such as passport control workers and passenger assistance staff.
- What was planned: A walkout from Friday, October 23 to November 2, 2026, covering the October half-term break.
- What changed: On October 19, Unite suspended the action so talks can take place with the airport and the conciliation service Acas. Talks are expected to start in the coming days; a start date is TBA.
- The dispute: Unite says its air traffic controllers want pay parity with staff at Newcastle Airport, who it says earn more for similar roles. The airport says a revised pay offer remains on the table for both groups.
- Not over yet: Unite regional officer Neil Whitaker said the union “paused action in good faith” and still holds a strong mandate. Unite says it will announce new strikes if talks don’t produce an acceptable deal.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Airport | Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) |
| Strike that was planned | Oct. 23 – Nov. 2, 2026 |
| Status | Suspended Oct. 19 for talks |
| Airport’s position | Normal operations expected over half term |
| New strike dates | None announced (TBA if talks fail) |
What it means for non-revs
- Half-term trips through LBA look safe for now. The airport expects to operate normally, so there’s no strike reason to reroute.
- Loads will still be holiday-heavy. Half term is a busy family travel week, so standby seats on leisure routes out of Leeds Bradford will be scarce regardless of the strike.
- Keep an eye on the talks. The union says it can call new action if negotiations fail. If you have later plans through LBA, check for any new strike notice before you travel and have Manchester (MAN) in mind as a fallback.
Sources
- Yorkshire Evening Post — Leeds Bradford Airport strike action suspended – but union warns action not ruled out
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