Around 200 DHL-employed ground handlers supporting easyJet operations at London Luton Airport began a three-day strike at 03:00 on December 19, initiating a critical test of the UK’s aviation resilience at the height of the Christmas getaway.

The walkout, which is due to run until 03:00 on December 22, is already raising the risk of disruption to check-in, baggage handling and aircraft turnaround processes, with potential knock-on delays for departures and missed onward connections across Europe.

More News:

Strike Under Way at London Luton as Peak Holiday Travel Begins

The first phase of the industrial action started in the early hours of Friday, December 19, just as Luton’s morning wave of low-cost departures was building.

The strikers include around 200 DHL staff who work exclusively on easyJet flights at Luton, manning check-in desks, baggage drop points and ramp services.

Their walkout coincides with one of the busiest travel weekends of the year, when thousands of passengers are trying to reach family reunions and winter sun destinations.

Airport operations remained open after the 03:00 start time, but aviation analysts warn that even a partial reduction in ground-handling capacity can quickly cascade into broader disruption.

Longer queues at check-in and bag drop, slower loading and unloading of aircraft, and extended turnaround times all have the potential to push rotations out of schedule.

This in turn can ripple through easyJet’s European network, particularly affecting passengers with tight connections and those booked on early morning or late evening services that have less slack in the timetable.

The current walkout is scheduled to last 72 hours before a temporary pause, but a second, longer phase is planned from 03:00 on December 26 to 03:00 on December 29.

Travel planners warn that the combination of outbound pre-Christmas trips during the current strike and heavy inbound traffic after Boxing Day raises the risk of repeated disruption at the airport over the festive period.

Who Is Striking and What They Want

The dispute centers on DHL-employed ground handlers assigned to easyJet at Luton, all members of the Unite union. The workers have rejected a 4.5 percent pay rise offered by DHL, arguing that it falls short of inflation and does not reflect the pressures of the cost-of-living crisis.

Unite has highlighted pay disparities within DHL’s own UK airport operations, pointing to reports that similar roles at Gatwick attract as much as three pounds an hour more than equivalent positions at Luton.

Union representatives frame the strike as a response to years of wage stagnation at a time when food, fuel and housing costs have risen sharply. Several workers have spoken publicly about struggling to cover basic expenses despite working full-time in a high-pressure operational environment.

Unite has accused both DHL and easyJet of prioritizing profits over staff welfare, noting that both companies have reported strong recent financial results.

DHL, for its part, maintains that its pay offer is above inflation and builds on several years of real-terms increases. The company says it remains open to further dialogue, but has criticized the decision to strike during the peak holiday period.

EasyJet, which contracts DHL to provide ground services at Luton, is not directly involved in the pay negotiations but is caught in the middle as the airline whose passengers are most immediately affected.

What EasyJet and Luton Airport Are Doing to Keep Flights Moving

EasyJet has stated that it intends to operate its full schedule from Luton during the strike period, relying on contingency plans developed with the airport and DHL.

These measures typically include redeploying management and non-union staff into front-line roles, increasing the use of automated bag drops, adjusting aircraft allocations and, where possible, bringing in support from alternative ground-handling partners.

Passengers, however, are being advised to prepare for slower processing at the airport even if their flights remain on the board. Industry sources indicate that easyJet has urged customers to travel with hand luggage only where feasible, to reduce the strain on baggage handling teams that remain on duty.

Travelers are also being asked to arrive earlier than usual for departures and to keep a close eye on airline communications and app notifications in case of last-minute gate or timing changes.

London Luton Airport has sought to reassure passengers that it is working closely with all stakeholders to maintain operations. While the airport itself is not a party to the dispute, its reputation and performance metrics are directly affected by any disruption at check-in or on the apron.

Operational managers are monitoring security, immigration and air traffic flows to prevent knock-on congestion spreading to other parts of the passenger journey, but acknowledge that delays at one critical point can put pressure on the entire system.

Disruption Risk: Check-in, Baggage and Tight Connections

The most immediate vulnerability lies at the landside front end of the travel process. Check-in counters and bag-drop points are staffed primarily by the striking DHL employees, meaning that any reduction in manpower can quickly lead to long queues.

At busy periods, Luton’s easyJet area already operates close to capacity; an extended check-in process heightens the risk that passengers arrive late to security, and ultimately that aircraft cannot depart on time.

Baggage handling is the second pressure point. Even when flights push back roughly on schedule, a reduced ramp workforce can slow down the loading of outbound bags and the unloading of inbound luggage.

This increases the likelihood that some bags may miss their flights, and that passengers arriving at Luton will have to wait significantly longer at carousels. Travelers making same-day onward journeys on separate tickets face an elevated risk of bags not keeping up with them, especially where minimum connection times are tight.

Turnaround times are the third crucial factor. EasyJet’s business model relies on short ground stops to keep its aircraft productive; a strike that adds even 15 or 20 minutes to each turnaround can push later rotations into delay.

Over a long operational day, this can lead to a growing queue of late-running flights, with the knock-on effect spreading to routes far beyond Luton. Winter operating conditions, such as de-icing or low visibility procedures, can further compound the challenge.

Aviation analysts note that while airlines can often absorb minor disruption through spare aircraft and crews, the combined effect of winter weather, dense holiday schedules and industrial action significantly reduces this flexibility.

Once delays become systemic, it becomes harder for operators to return to normal performance without cancelling a small number of flights to restore balance.

Part of a Wider Wave of European Holiday Travel Strikes

The action at London Luton forms part of a broader pattern of strike activity at European airports this December. Ground handlers, cabin crew and air traffic controllers in several countries, including Italy, Spain and Portugal, have announced walkouts or work-to-rule campaigns, citing similar concerns over pay, working conditions and job security.

As a result, the European aviation system is entering the Christmas period under considerable labour-related strain.

In the UK alone, Luton’s DHL dispute overlaps with planned industrial action by Scandinavian Airlines cabin crew at Heathrow, affecting flights to northern Europe on several key travel days.

Elsewhere on the continent, rolling baggage handler strikes at major Spanish airports and short, concentrated walkouts in Italy are expected to cause queues, delays and sporadic cancellations across a variety of airlines and routes.

For passengers, the cumulative impact is a higher baseline risk of disruption, even on flights and airports not directly covered by any one dispute. Aircraft and crew knocked out of position by strikes in one country can have knock-on effects elsewhere, complicating recovery planning and making day-of-travel conditions more unpredictable.

Travel professionals therefore advise that anyone transiting through multiple hubs or relying on separate tickets should allow additional time between flights and build flexibility into their itineraries.

Practical Advice for Passengers Flying During the Luton Strike

Travel specialists recommend that passengers departing from or arriving into London Luton during the strike window between 03:00 on December 19 and 03:00 on December 22 take a number of practical steps.

The first is to monitor flight status closely in the 24 hours before departure, using the airline’s app or direct notifications. Even if airlines plan to operate a full schedule, gate changes, minor retimings and occasional consolidation of lightly booked services remain possible.

Second, travelers are encouraged to travel with cabin baggage only wherever their ticket and personal circumstances allow. Reducing reliance on checked bags lessens the burden on strike-hit baggage teams and minimizes the risk of luggage being misrouted or delayed.

For those who must check bags, clearly labelling luggage and keeping essential items and medications in carry-on remains vital.

Third, passengers should build extra time into their journey. Arriving at the airport earlier than usual can provide a buffer against long check-in and security queues.

Those making onward connections on separate bookings, including rail or coach services from arrival airports on the continent, should consider more generous transfer windows or flexible tickets that can be changed without penalty.

Finally, travelers are being reminded to familiarize themselves with their rights in the event of significant delays or cancellations. Under prevailing European air passenger protections, airlines can be responsible for rebooking, care and in some cases compensation when disruptions are within their control.

Understanding these entitlements in advance can help passengers make informed decisions if their plans are affected on the day.

What Happens Next in the Pay Dispute

With the first phase of the strike now under way, attention is turning to whether talks between DHL and Unite can produce a compromise before the second, longer walkout scheduled from 03:00 on December 26 to 03:00 on December 29.

Both sides have publicly stated their willingness to continue negotiations, but there remains a wide gap between the union’s demands for a more substantial wage uplift and the company’s assertion that its current offer is already competitive.

Unite has signalled that further escalation is possible if the dispute drags on without progress, though no additional dates beyond late December have yet been announced. DHL, meanwhile, is under pressure from both easyJet and airport authorities to strike a deal that restores predictability to operations.

The reputational cost of prolonged disruption at Luton could be significant, particularly if passengers begin to question the reliability of flights from the airport compared with rival London hubs.

EasyJet executives will also be watching the situation closely. While the airline does not employ the striking staff directly, it depends heavily on Luton as one of its key UK bases.

Prolonged instability could prompt a review of ground-handling arrangements or, in the longer term, adjustments to capacity deployment between different airports in the London system.

FAQ

Q1: Which dates and times are covered by the current Luton strike?
The first phase of the strike runs from 03:00 on Friday, December 19, 2025, until 03:00 on Monday, December 22, 2025. A second phase is scheduled from 03:00 on Friday, December 26, until 03:00 on Monday, December 29, if no agreement is reached.

Q2: Which airline is most affected by the strike?
The industrial action specifically targets DHL-employed staff who handle easyJet operations at London Luton, so easyJet is the airline most directly affected. Other carriers at Luton are not part of this dispute, although wider airport congestion could still have indirect effects.

Q3: Will my easyJet flight from Luton be cancelled?
EasyJet says it currently expects to operate a full schedule during the strike, supported by contingency measures. However, passengers should be prepared for the possibility of delays, gate changes or, in a smaller number of cases, cancellations if operational pressures become too great.

Q4: What parts of the journey are most likely to be disrupted?
The highest disruption risk is at check-in and baggage drop, followed by baggage reclaim and overall aircraft turnaround times. This can lead to longer queues, delayed departures, and a higher chance that checked bags may be delayed or misrouted.

Q5: What can I do to reduce the impact on my trip?
Travel with hand luggage only if possible, arrive at the airport earlier than usual, monitor your flight status regularly through the airline’s app or website, and allow generous connection times if your journey involves multiple flights or onward ground transport.

Q6: Are passenger rights different during a strike?
In general, airlines remain bound by standard air passenger rights rules, which may include obligations to provide rebooking, meals, accommodation and in some cases compensation. Specific entitlements depend on the cause and nature of the disruption, so passengers should check the conditions that apply to their booking and route.

Q7: Does the strike affect security screening or passport control?
No. The striking workers are DHL ground handlers assigned to easyJet operations, not airport security or border staff. However, delays at check-in and bag drop can push more passengers into security queues at once, which may indirectly lengthen waiting times.

Q8: I have a tight connection on a separate ticket. Should I rebook?
Travel experts advise building in extra time for connections during the strike window, especially if you are on separate tickets without protected connections. If your existing transfer time is very tight, it may be prudent to rebook a later onward service where flexibility allows.

Q9: Could the strike be called off early?
Yes. If DHL and Unite reach a pay agreement, the union could suspend or cancel remaining strike action, including the second phase planned after Christmas. At present, however, both phases remain scheduled, so passengers should plan on the basis that industrial action will proceed.

Q10: Are other UK or European airports facing similar issues this Christmas?
Yes. London Luton’s strike is part of a wider pattern of industrial action at European airports in December, including walkouts by cabin crew at Heathrow and baggage handler or ground staff strikes in countries such as Spain and Italy. Together, these disputes increase the overall risk of travel disruption across the region during the holiday period.