When are the Heathrow strikes? Full list of airport strike dates in May 2023 and how flights are affected
Security officers at Heathrow airport will take part in eight days of strike action in May that will coincide with the coronation bank holiday weekend and school half-term.
The Unite union, organising the walkout, said it will cause “inevitable disruption and delays at the airport”.
This fresh round of action follows the 10-day strike that disrupted travel over Easter. Here is everything you need to know.
When are the Heathrow airport strikes?
Here is the full list of strike dates:
- Thursday 4 May
- Friday 5 May
- Saturday 6 May
- Tuesday 9 May
- Wednesday 10 May
- Thursday 25 May
- Friday 26 May
- Saturday 27 May
Around 14,000 security officers employed by the airport are expected to walk out.
The walkouts will coincide with what are expected to be busy travel periods, with the coronation bank holiday weekend starting on Friday 5 May, and Friday 26 May the last day before half-term for many schools in the UK.
How will flights be affected?
On the days of next month’s strike, a total of 5,148 flights are scheduled to depart from Heathrow – equating to over 1.1 million seats, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium.
Of these flights, 2,621 are scheduled to be operated by British Airways (51 per cent).
During the Easter strikes, British Airways cancelled dozens of flights to and from the airport. Heathrow required the airline to reduce the number of passengers travelling during the industrial action.
Ahead of the Easter walkouts, all airlines operating at Heathrow were asked to stop selling flights for the strike days.
The airport has not announced any requirement for airlines to reduce passenger numbers or halt flight sales during the eight days of strike action in May.
A spokesperson for Heathrow said: “We kept Heathrow running smoothly during the first 10 days of Unite’s failed industrial action, and passengers can have confidence that we will do so again this time.
“We will not let Unite disrupt the flow of visitors to the UK during such an important period for the country.”
Why are Heathrow staff striking?
Heathrow’s management has been in talks with Unite for several months over a pay increase for security officers.
The latest offer is a £1,150 lump sum payment in addition to a 10 per cent pay increase offer in January.
Unite regional co-ordinating officer, Wayne King, said: “Strikes next month will cause further disruption to airport passengers but this dispute is a direct result of Heathrow’s stubborn refusal to make an offer that meets our members’ expectations.
“Our members have been crystal clear they are seeking a substantial permanent increase in pay.
“A small one off lump sum payment will not alleviate the financial pressures our members are facing on a daily basis.”
