Just as the UK’s Christmas exodus reaches its peak, multiple labour disputes are disrupting two of the country’s key air hubs. At Heathrow, more than 80 outsourced cleaning staff who service British Airways facilities have been on strike since 18 December and will stay out until 29 December. Today, 22 December, Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) cabin crew based at Heathrow joined the walk-out, while security-screening queues lengthened as contingency teams were redeployed.
Luton Airport is facing parallel action: over 200 EasyJet ground-handling staff are striking from 19–22 December and again 26–29 December. Aircraft turn-round times have lengthened, forcing EasyJet to cancel or retime scores of departures.
For business travellers, the combined effect is a “perfect storm” of delays, re-bookings and missed connections at one of the busiest times of the year. Travel-managers are advising passengers to allow extra dwell time, carry cabin-friendly baggage in case hold-loading is disrupted and keep mobile notifications on for last-minute gate changes.
![Holiday-season airport strikes hit Heathrow and Luton, triggering delays and cancellations]()
To avoid compounding the chaos, travellers rerouted through alternative hubs may suddenly find themselves needing new transit visas or updated documentation. VisaHQ’s UK platform (https://www.visahq.com/united-kingdom/) can secure emergency visas, provide real-time entry-requirement alerts and arrange swift passport couriering, giving corporate travel teams one less headache when flights are cancelled at short notice.
The strikes highlight continuing industrial-relations strains in the UK aviation sector, where real wages lag inflation. Employers relying on last-minute international trips should have contingency policies—such as switching to rail or regional airports—and review force-majeure clauses in client contracts that assume timely arrival.
Unite and other unions have warned of further action in early 2026 if wage talks stall, raising the prospect of continued volatility during next year’s half-term and Easter travel peaks.
Luton Airport is facing parallel action: over 200 EasyJet ground-handling staff are striking from 19–22 December and again 26–29 December. Aircraft turn-round times have lengthened, forcing EasyJet to cancel or retime scores of departures.
For business travellers, the combined effect is a “perfect storm” of delays, re-bookings and missed connections at one of the busiest times of the year. Travel-managers are advising passengers to allow extra dwell time, carry cabin-friendly baggage in case hold-loading is disrupted and keep mobile notifications on for last-minute gate changes.
To avoid compounding the chaos, travellers rerouted through alternative hubs may suddenly find themselves needing new transit visas or updated documentation. VisaHQ’s UK platform (https://www.visahq.com/united-kingdom/) can secure emergency visas, provide real-time entry-requirement alerts and arrange swift passport couriering, giving corporate travel teams one less headache when flights are cancelled at short notice.
The strikes highlight continuing industrial-relations strains in the UK aviation sector, where real wages lag inflation. Employers relying on last-minute international trips should have contingency policies—such as switching to rail or regional airports—and review force-majeure clauses in client contracts that assume timely arrival.
Unite and other unions have warned of further action in early 2026 if wage talks stall, raising the prospect of continued volatility during next year’s half-term and Easter travel peaks.
