Bournemouth Airport is preparing for significant disruption as workers plan strikes on multiple dates this autumn. Around 80 members of the Unite union including baggage handlers, check-in staff, flight dispatchers and aircraft refuelling crews are set to walk out on 30 September, 1 October, and again on 16–17 October. The industrial action comes after union members rejected a proposed pay deal from the airport, reigniting a pay dispute that had been paused for talks earlier in the month.

Unite has warned that the walkouts will cause “major disruption” for passengers , while the airport insists it has contingency plans to operate a full flight schedule as normal on strike days. Travelers are nonetheless being advised to stay alert and prepare for potential delays in the coming weeks.

TL;DR – Bournemouth Airport Strikes

  • Unite union staff striking on 30 Sept, 1 Oct, 16–17 Oct 2025
  • Roles affected: baggage, check-in, dispatch, refuelling crews
  • Dispute centers on pay keeping pace with inflation
  • Airport management says contingency plans will keep flights running
  • Travelers advised to check status, arrive early, and pack light

Jump to: Strike Schedule • Management Response • Impact on Flights • Advice • Strikes in Perspective • FAQ

Passengers queuing in Bournemouth Airport departure hall with strike notices on check-in screens
Passengers queuing in Bournemouth Airport departure hall with strike notices on check-in screens

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Strike Schedule and Services Affected

The planned strikes span four days and target key operational roles at the airport. Baggage handling, check-in services, flight dispatch, and aircraft fueling are all expected to be impacted, as these are the departments where Unite’s members have voted to strike. This group of roughly 80 workers accounts for about 13% of Bournemouth Airport’s workforce and plays a critical role in keeping flights running on schedule. With staff across such a wide range of ground operations walking off the job, services are likely to be badly affected on strike days.

According to the union, the strike dates are timed to maximize pressure: the first two walkouts at the end of September and start of October could snarl late-season holiday flights, while a second round in mid-October threatens further disruption if the dispute remains unresolved.

Bournemouth Airport handles nearly 1 million passengers per year with popular routes operated by carriers like TUI and Ryanair , so any prolonged work stoppage could impact hundreds of travelers each day. Notably, the airport’s fire service crews will not join the strike – they accepted a separate pay deal earlier – but virtually all other ground operations from check-in to fueling may be understaffed.

Union Demands and Management Response

The root of the conflict is a pay dispute driven by rising living costs. Union officials argue that Bournemouth Airport’s latest pay offer falls short of inflation, effectively amounting to a real-terms pay cut for workers. They point out that the airport has been doing well financially – with passenger numbers rebounding and over £50 million invested in expansion this year – yet many staff are “struggling to afford essentials after years of low pay”.

Unite’s general secretary Sharon Graham blasted the situation as “completely unacceptable,” urging the airport to come forward with a fairer wage offer that properly reflects the cost of living. The union would prefer to avert the strikes, officials say, but insist management “could avoid [the walkouts] by returning to negotiations” and addressing workers’ concerns.

Unite also noted that part of the dispute centers on how pay increases are calculated – the union believes raises should track the higher Retail Price Index (RPI) inflation rate rather than the lower Consumer Price Index (CPI), to ensure wages keep up with true cost increases.

Airport management, for its part, has expressed disappointment and frustration at the strike threat. In an official statement, Bournemouth Airport said it negotiated in good faith with Unite over recent months and even met all of the union’s “previous demands in full,” including significantly improved pay offers that Unite’s negotiators recommended to staff.

Those offers led to a deal accepted by the airport’s firefighting crew, but other employee groups ultimately voted to reject the proposal – triggering the current strike plan. “We remain open to constructive dialogue with Unite,” the airport noted, “but we are disappointed that strike action is being pursued despite our previous offer which met Unite’s demands and was recommended by the union to its members”.

Airport officials also emphasize that only a portion of the workforce (the 80 Unite members out of about 450 total staff) are involved. In the meantime, management has activated contingency plans to keep the airport running. This includes reallocating staff and resources so that flights can operate on the scheduled strike days , and continuing efforts to minimize disruption while talks with the union continue.

Impact on Flights and Worst-Case Scenarios

Unite’s regional officer Janet Wall cautioned that the strikes “will inevitably result in major disruption to passengers,” blaming the employer for the impasse. Indeed, if no backup measures were in place, a strike hitting baggage, check-in, dispatch and fueling simultaneously could bring the airport’s operations to a crawl. Flight delays are the most likely outcome – for example, fewer check-in and baggage staff could mean longer queues to drop luggage and clear security, causing departures to be pushed back.

Likewise, with limited ground crews to load bags or dispatch flights, aircraft turnarounds may slow significantly. Passengers arriving at Bournemouth might face baggage delivery delays at carousels, and those departing could experience waits on the tarmac if fueling takes longer than usual due to reduced staffing. In a worst-case scenario, if the airport’s contingency staffing can’t cover critical roles, some flight cancellations could occur if planes cannot be safely serviced or dispatched on time.

Airport representatives, however, are projecting optimism that cancellations can be avoided. They have assured travelers that Bournemouth Airport expects to “operate a full schedule as normal” on the strike dates. Behind the scenes, managers and trained office staff are likely being re-deployed to front-line roles. It’s possible the airport will draft in temporary workers or lean on airline partners to assist with ground handling, in order to keep flights running.

Past experience suggests many scheduled flights will indeed operate, though perhaps not as punctually as usual. Nonetheless, schedule knock-on effects remain a risk – if a morning flight is delayed, it could cascade into further delays for that aircraft’s subsequent trips or for connecting passengers.

Travelers with tight itineraries or onward connections would be wise to build in extra buffer time in case of unexpected schedule changes. While the aim is to prevent a total shutdown, passengers should be prepared for slower processing and minor chaos in the terminals if the strikes proceed as planned.

Advice for Affected Travelers

For those booked to travel via Bournemouth Airport on the strike-affected days, a few prudent steps can help navigate the uncertainty. Here are some tips for minimizing inconvenience during the industrial action:

  • Check Flight Status Frequently: In the days leading up to your trip (and especially on the day of travel), monitor your flight’s status through your airline’s website or apps and sign up for any text/email alerts. Airlines often notify passengers of schedule changes or delays in advance when possible. If strikes do go ahead, verify with your airline that your flight is still operating as scheduled.

  • Arrive Early and Be Prepared: While Bournemouth Airport has advised passengers to check in as usual during the strikes , it’s wise to arrive a bit earlier than normal if you can. Giving yourself extra time provides a buffer in case lines at check-in or security are moving slowly. Plan for the possibility of delays at baggage drop-off or claim. Bringing some snacks, water, or entertainment for the airport wait isn’t a bad idea either.

  • Travel Light if Possible: If you can manage with just carry-on luggage, consider doing so. With baggage handlers on strike, traveling with only hand luggage eliminates one potential point of delay (and means you won’t risk missing checked bags if baggage operations are backed up). If you do check bags, pack essentials (medications, a change of clothes, important documents) in your hand luggage just in case your checked bag is delayed.

  • Stay Flexible and Know Your Rights: In a fluid situation like a strike, flexibility is key. Airlines may offer free rebooking or refunds for passengers on affected flights – check your carrier’s policy if you’d prefer to adjust your travel dates. If a flight is significantly delayed or canceled, UK air passengers have rights to assistance and possibly compensation under air travel regulations. Have your airline’s customer service contacts handy in case you need to make alternate arrangements. Travel insurance that covers strikes or delays can also be a safeguard.

  • Consider Alternative Routes: If your trip is time-sensitive (for example, an important event or cruise departure), you might have a backup plan. This could mean looking at flights from other airports such as Southampton or London hubs, or arranging ground transportation if feasible. Even though most Bournemouth flights are expected to go ahead, it’s worth identifying alternatives in advance, so you can act quickly if your flight is unexpectedly impacted.

Airport officials stress that passengers should continue to follow official updates from Bournemouth Airport and airlines. “Passengers due to fly on any of the planned strike days are, as always, advised to check with their airline nearer the time for the very latest information about their flight,” the airport said in its notice to travelers. In short, staying informed and allowing some extra cushion in your travel plans will be the best strategy for anyone flying during the strike period.

UK Airport Strikes in Perspective

The situation at Bournemouth is part of a broader pattern of aviation labor disputes in the UK over the past couple of years. Travelers may recall that major airports like Heathrow and Gatwick have also faced strike threats – with varying outcomes. In summer 2023, for example, London Gatwick braced for a series of strikes by 950 ground staff, baggage handlers, and check-in agents during the peak July–August holiday rush.

Unite warned at the time that with so many workers walking out, “disruption, delays and cancellations are inevitable across the airport”. Gatwick’s management worked with airlines on contingency plans to keep as many flights operating as possible , and in some cases strikes were averted through last-minute deals. Still, the mere prospect of industrial action at a busy hub forced carriers like EasyJet and British Airways to prepare schedule adjustments and put passengers on alert.

Heathrow Airport similarly averted chaos through a mix of planning and negotiation. In early 2023, more than 1,400 security staff at Heathrow (mainly in Terminal 5) voted to strike over pay during the Easter holiday period. British Airways, which uses Terminal 5 exclusively, proactively cancelled over 300 flights ahead of the 10-day strike to mitigate disruption.

When the strikes began, Heathrow’s management mobilized 1,000 extra staff and backup security personnel to cover for striking workers. The airport’s CEO noted that many managers donned uniforms to help screen passengers, and by and large Heathrow operated “as normal” during the strikes, with security lines flowing and most travelers able to depart on schedule.

The advance cancellations and contingency staffing minimized the impact, though it required significant effort behind the scenes. Eventually, Heathrow reached a new pay deal with its staff – it agreed to a pay rise in June 2023, which avoided further planned summer walkouts by security workers.

These precedents suggest that while strikes can be disruptive, airports often take extensive measures to limit the fallout. Larger airports have shown they can run near-normal operations during a strike, especially if airlines trim schedules and temporary workers fill in.

However, smaller regional airports like Bournemouth have fewer resources to draw upon, meaning any staff shortage can have an outsized effect. During a 2022 ground-handling strike at a smaller UK airport, for instance, passengers experienced multi-hour baggage delays and a few flight cancellations, even though the airport stayed open.

Ultimately, the outcome at Bournemouth will depend on the effectiveness of its contingency plans and the willingness of both sides to compromise. If a new pay agreement is reached in time – as happened in Heathrow’s case – the strikes could be called off entirely. But if not, passengers will need to be prepared for some turbulence in their travel plans, even before their flights take to the skies.

FAQ

When are the Bournemouth Airport strikes?

30 September, 1 October, and 16–17 October 2025.

Who is striking?

Around 80 Unite union members including baggage handlers, check-in staff, flight dispatchers, and refuellers.

Why are workers striking?

They rejected a pay deal, arguing wages must rise in line with inflation.

Will flights be canceled?

The airport says it has contingency plans to run a full schedule, though delays are possible.

How can passengers prepare?

Check flight status often, arrive early, and consider traveling with carry-on luggage only.

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