ONE of the UK’s busiest airports is set for travel chaos over the May bank holiday weekend due to strike action.
Around 100 workers at London Stansted Airport – the UK’s fourth busiest airport – will walk out between May 3 and 6.
The walkout, which has been called by Unite the Union, will mainly involve staff who help passengers with disabilities at the airport and onto their flights.
Action was called after staff rejected a “substandard” pay offer.
Delays are expected as a result of the strike, as it will take longer to board passengers who need help to get to their flights.
Last year the airport handled 2.74 million passengers across May, with thousands travelling across both May bank holiday weekends.
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Many budget airlines fly from the airport including Ryanair and popular European destinations include Rome, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Alicante and Ibiza.
As a result of the strike action, families and travellers heading off for the long weekend might experience delays in getting to their destinations.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “ABM staff do a vital job for passengers at the airport, yet they are struggling with low pay while their employer makes huge profits.
“This situation is unacceptable and workers at ABM continue to have Unite’s full support.”
Unite regional officer Steve Edwards added: “Workers at ABM are increasingly given bigger workloads and deserve pay that reflects this.
“Their employer can afford to come back with an offer workers would accept and could end this dispute easily by doing so. But until then, Unite members will strike until their voices are heard.”
A previous strike was planned for April 17 to 20 but was called off.
Sun Travel has contacted London Stansted Airport for comment.
Stansted Airport also recently hiked its drop-off parking charges by almost 50 per cent.
In March, the fee to use the express drop-off (up to 15 minutes) at the airport rose from £7 to £10.
The fee for longer stays of up to 30 minutes also rose from £25 to £28.
The changes made Stansted Airport the second most expensive airport for drop-off fees in the UK, only beaten by Gatwick Airport where the fee is £10 for 10 minutes.
Flight compensation rules
A look at your rights if a flight is delayed or cancelled, when your entitled to compensation and if your travel insurance can cover the costs.
What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed?
Under UK law, airlines have to provide compensation if your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late.
If you’re flying to or from the UK, your airline must let you choose a refund or an alternative flight.
You will be able to get your money back for the part of your ticket that you haven’t used yet.
So if you booked a return flight and the outbound leg is cancelled, you can get the full cost of the return ticket refunded.
But if travelling is essential, then your airline has to find you an alternative flight. This could even be with another airline.
When am I not entitled to compensation?
The airline doesn’t have to give you a refund if the flight was cancelled due to reasons beyond their control, such as extreme weather.
Disruptions caused by things like extreme weather, airport or air traffic control employee strikes or other ‘extraordinary circumstances’ are not eligible for compensation.
Some airlines may stretch the definition of “extraordinary circumstances” but you can challenge them through the aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
Will my insurance cover me if my flight is cancelled?
If you can’t claim compensation directly through the airline, your travel insurance may refund you.
Policies vary so you should check the small print, but a delay of eight to 12 hours will normally mean you qualify for some money from your insurer.
Remember to get written confirmation of your delay from the airport as your insurer will need proof.
If your flight is cancelled entirely, you’re unlikely to be covered by your insurance.
In other flight news, Ryanair is axing thousands of flights from European airport this summer.
Plus, four major European airlines are set to scrap free hand luggage onboard.
