Travellers planning spring trips through London Heathrow face major disruption after the Unite union confirmed on 6 November that more than 1,400 security officers at Terminal 5 and cargo checkpoints will stage a 10-day strike from 31 March to 9 April 2026. The action coincides with UK school holidays and overlaps the Easter weekend, traditionally one of the airport’s busiest periods.
Unite says members rejected Heathrow Airport Limited’s latest pay offer—an inflation-linked 10 % rise—arguing that years of wage stagnation have left many staff reliant on overtime and shift bonuses. Heathrow insists the package is “market-leading” and has begun training 1,000 managers in security screening to keep lanes open. Airlines have been asked to cap ticket sales and are drawing up contingency plans; British Airways, the sole carrier in T5, warned corporates that re-timings and baggage-allowance tweaks are likely.
![10-day Heathrow security strike announced for Easter travel peak]()
If the walk-out proceeds, corporate mobility teams could see prolonged queues at staff channels, potential missed connections for onward long-haul flights and limits on fast-track and lounge access. Employers with assignees transiting Heathrow should consider rerouting via Gatwick, Manchester or continental hubs and booking flexible fares.
The dispute follows a year of sporadic industrial action across UK aviation—from air-traffic-control software walkouts to ground-handler strikes—reflecting sector-wide labour shortages and cost-of-living pressures. Analysts warn that the Heathrow stoppage could ripple through global schedules as the airport handles 62 % of the UK’s long-haul capacity.
Talks at the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) are scheduled for mid-February. Unite says it remains open to negotiation but “will escalate” if no deal emerges.
Unite says members rejected Heathrow Airport Limited’s latest pay offer—an inflation-linked 10 % rise—arguing that years of wage stagnation have left many staff reliant on overtime and shift bonuses. Heathrow insists the package is “market-leading” and has begun training 1,000 managers in security screening to keep lanes open. Airlines have been asked to cap ticket sales and are drawing up contingency plans; British Airways, the sole carrier in T5, warned corporates that re-timings and baggage-allowance tweaks are likely.
If the walk-out proceeds, corporate mobility teams could see prolonged queues at staff channels, potential missed connections for onward long-haul flights and limits on fast-track and lounge access. Employers with assignees transiting Heathrow should consider rerouting via Gatwick, Manchester or continental hubs and booking flexible fares.
The dispute follows a year of sporadic industrial action across UK aviation—from air-traffic-control software walkouts to ground-handler strikes—reflecting sector-wide labour shortages and cost-of-living pressures. Analysts warn that the Heathrow stoppage could ripple through global schedules as the airport handles 62 % of the UK’s long-haul capacity.
Talks at the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) are scheduled for mid-February. Unite says it remains open to negotiation but “will escalate” if no deal emerges.
