EDINBURGH – Edinburgh Airport could face significant flight disruptions during the festive season as tanker drivers employed by North Air threaten to strike amid pay dispute. Unite, the UK’s leading aviation trade union, confirmed on 2nd December that it may announce strike dates in the coming days if an agreement is not reached.
North Air, which provides refueling services for domestic and international airlines at Edinburgh Airport, offered a 4.5% pay increase to its tanker drivers. However, Unite members overwhelmingly rejected the proposal, pointing to years of below-inflation pay rises and demanding a more significant offer.
Efforts to resolve the dispute through discussions at the Advisory, Conciliation, and Arbitration Service (Acas) have so far failed to yield an agreement. Unite has warned that unless North Air improves its pay offer, it will proceed with strike action, potentially grounding flights during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
Impact on Flights
The strike threat poses a major risk to both domestic and international travel. North Air is the sole provider of refueling services at Edinburgh Airport, which means any such strike could have widespread effects.
Key routes posing a threat include United Airlines flights to New York, Emirates services to Dubai, and Loganair’s domestic routes to the Scottish islands. Unite officials have emphasized that the responsibility for potential disruptions lies with North Air.
“North Air is a profitable company, and there is no excuse for not making an improved pay offer to our tanker drivers. Unite will always support our members in their fight for better jobs, pay, and conditions.”
Sharon Graham, Unite’s General Secretary.
High Stakes for Travelers
The strike threat comes at a crucial time for travelers, as many prepare to fly for the holiday season. With the prospect of widespread cancellations or delays, passengers are likely to face considerable uncertainty if the dispute is not resolved soon.
Unite has indicated that it will issue strike dates if there is no progress in negotiations in the coming days. The union has urged North Air to reach an agreement and avoid escalating the dispute further.
“Unite’s tanker drivers deserve a fair pay rise. They are highly skilled workers providing a key service. If strike action happens, causing widespread disruption over the festive season, it’s on North Air’s heads.”
Carrie Binnie, Unite’s Industrial Officer.
