Holiday plans for thousands of EasyJet passengers are set to be thrown into chaos this Christmas, as baggage handlers at London Luton Airport have voted for strike action.
Strike Dates and Scale of Disruption
The walkout involves around 200 check-in and baggage handling staff employed by outsourcing company DHL, who work on EasyJet's behalf. The workers, who are members of the Unite union, have announced the strike will take place in two critical phases over the festive period.
The first wave will run from 03:00 on Friday 19 December to 03:00 on Monday 22 December. The second will commence on Boxing Day at 03:00 and last until 03:00 on Monday 29 December.
Over these six days, an estimated 410 EasyJet flights departing from Luton Airport are expected to be impacted. The disruption will affect popular routes to destinations including Spain, Germany, Italy, and the Czech Republic.
The Pay Dispute at the Heart of the Action
The staff have rejected DHL's latest offer of a 4.5% pay increase, arguing it falls short during the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. A central grievance is a pay gap with colleagues performing identical roles for the company at Gatwick Airport.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham stated: "DHL and EasyJet can comfortably afford to offer these workers an above-inflation pay rise. It is shameful that hardworking members can't afford the basics and they are paid less than their counterparts."
Potential for Last-Minute Resolution
There remains a slim window to avert the travel misery. Unite regional officer Jeff Hodge indicated that strike action could be avoided if DHL returns to negotiations with an improved offer. "That now hinges on DHL returning to negotiations with an offer that is acceptable to our members," Hodge said.
The timing could not be worse for travellers. The Civil Aviation Authority predicts this will be the busiest Christmas in UK aviation history. Luton Airport, which handled over 16.2 million passengers in 2023, is likely to be one of the most severely affected hubs.
The breakdown of affected flights by day is as follows:
- 19 December: 71 flights
- 20 December: 60 flights
- 21 December: 74 flights
- 26 December: 71 flights
- 27 December: 60 flights
- 28 December: 74 flights
Passengers booked on EasyJet services from London Luton during these dates are strongly advised to monitor their flight status closely and check for updates directly from the airline.
