Leeds Bradford Airport half-term strikes paused for Acas talks

What has been paused

More than 130 Unite members at the airport, including air traffic controllers and hourly paid staff in roles such as passport control and passenger assistance, had been due to walk out between Friday 23 October and Monday 2 November 2026. According to the Yorkshire Post, both groups overwhelmingly rejected the airport's latest pay offers before the union decided to pause the action for talks.

An earlier walkout planned for 16 to 18 October was also called off. AeroCorner reported on 15 October that the airport expected to operate as normal that weekend, with no disruption to services.

Why staff were planning to strike

The dispute is about pay. Unite says a starting air traffic controller at Leeds Bradford earns about £34,000, compared with about £55,000 at Newcastle Airport, and wants parity between the two airports, which are both part-owned by the Spanish airport group AENA. The union also says many hourly paid workers earn only just above the minimum wage.

The airport has described its offer as fair and above inflation. Before the earlier strike dates it said it expected near-normal operations during any walkout, with robust contingency plans in place.

What happens next

Talks brokered by Acas are due in the coming days. Unite has said that if they do not produce an improved offer its members can accept, it will announce strike dates. No new dates are known at this stage, so passengers flying from Leeds Bradford over half-term should treat the situation as uncertain rather than settled.

Airlines normally contact passengers directly if a flight is cancelled or retimed. Check your booking and the airport's own travel updates before you leave, and allow extra time if industrial action resumes.

Will I be compensated if my flight is disrupted?

Flights departing from Leeds Bradford are covered by UK261. Fixed compensation of £220, £350 or £520 per passenger, depending on the flight distance, applies when you arrive 3 hours or more late or when your flight is cancelled less than 14 days before departure.

When the cause is a strike by airport staff or air traffic controllers, airlines often argue that it was an extraordinary circumstance outside their control, and compensation may then not be due. Each case depends on the facts: if a flight was cancelled or delayed for another reason, such as a technical fault or a crew shortage at the airline, compensation can still apply. Whatever the cause, the airline must provide meals and, where needed, a hotel, and must offer a refund or an alternative flight if it cancels.

If your flight is disrupted, FlightClaimHQ can check your case: we assess whether compensation is due and handle the claim for you.

Are the Leeds Bradford Airport strikes cancelled?

No. The walkouts planned from 23 October to 2 November 2026 are paused, not cancelled. Unite says it will announce strikes if the Acas talks do not lead to an acceptable offer.

Who was due to strike at Leeds Bradford Airport?

More than 130 Unite members, including air traffic controllers and hourly paid staff such as passport control and passenger assistance workers.