Some 200 DHL-employed check-in and baggage-handling staff continued a 72-hour walk-out at London Luton Airport on Saturday after talks over a pay deal collapsed. The stoppage, running 19–22 December and due to resume 26–29 December, threatens more than 400 EasyJet flights and around 70,000 passengers during one of the busiest weeks of the year.
EasyJet has drafted in managers and agency labour to keep its full schedule running, but passengers are being warned to expect slower bag-drop queues, delayed baggage delivery on arrival and potential knock-on departure delays as aircraft turnaround times lengthen. Travellers with tight onward rail or coach connections are advised to build in extra contingencies.
![Ground-handling strike at London Luton enters second day, puts 400 EasyJet flights at risk]()
For travellers suddenly rerouted through different hubs, making sure that any required visas or electronic travel authorisations remain valid is another wrinkle to consider. VisaHQ’s UK platform (https://www.visahq.com/united-kingdom/) lets passengers and corporate mobility teams run quick eligibility checks and arrange express visa processing online, smoothing last-minute itinerary changes triggered by airport disruption.
Unite the Union says DHL staff at Gatwick earn about £3 per hour more than their Luton counterparts for identical duties and argues that a 4.5 % pay offer does not match inflation. DHL counters that its proposal is “fair and above industry average”, and the airport operator insists safety and security standards will not be compromised.
For corporate mobility managers Luton’s action illustrates the vulnerability of outsourced airport services: although EasyJet flights are still operating, delays may invalidate minimum-connection-time assumptions built into travel policies. Companies with holiday-period assignee travel should encourage cabin-baggage-only where possible, monitor flight status in real time and prepare to re-route via other London airports if disruption escalates next week.
EasyJet has drafted in managers and agency labour to keep its full schedule running, but passengers are being warned to expect slower bag-drop queues, delayed baggage delivery on arrival and potential knock-on departure delays as aircraft turnaround times lengthen. Travellers with tight onward rail or coach connections are advised to build in extra contingencies.
For travellers suddenly rerouted through different hubs, making sure that any required visas or electronic travel authorisations remain valid is another wrinkle to consider. VisaHQ’s UK platform (https://www.visahq.com/united-kingdom/) lets passengers and corporate mobility teams run quick eligibility checks and arrange express visa processing online, smoothing last-minute itinerary changes triggered by airport disruption.
Unite the Union says DHL staff at Gatwick earn about £3 per hour more than their Luton counterparts for identical duties and argues that a 4.5 % pay offer does not match inflation. DHL counters that its proposal is “fair and above industry average”, and the airport operator insists safety and security standards will not be compromised.
For corporate mobility managers Luton’s action illustrates the vulnerability of outsourced airport services: although EasyJet flights are still operating, delays may invalidate minimum-connection-time assumptions built into travel policies. Companies with holiday-period assignee travel should encourage cabin-baggage-only where possible, monitor flight status in real time and prepare to re-route via other London airports if disruption escalates next week.
