Travel news: Leeds Bradford Airport faces strike action amid major regeneration
Almost 130 Leeds Bradford Airport workers are set to strike from October 16-18 over pay, as the airport continues a regeneration programme worth more than £100million, writes Travel News Blitz’s Renée Cottle.
Unite, who says the dispute involves air traffic control workers, customer experience staff, security staff and cleaners, warns the action will shut down the airport, while LBA says it anticipates “near-normal operations”.
The decision by the union to walk out was announced on the same day as the airport opened its new security zone.
Strike dates and pay demands
Staff paid on an hourly basis will strike from 3am on Friday, October 16 until 6am on Sunday, October 18.
Air traffic control staff will strike from 6am on Friday until 6am on Sunday.
According to Unite, pay talks have been ongoing since December 2025 following the end of a four-year pay deal.
Unite press officer Natasha Wynarczyk told Travel News Blitz that air traffic members were seeking pay parity with colleagues at Newcastle Airport, who the union says earn more for effectively the same roles, despite Newcastle having a lower cost of living.
Wynarczyk went on to say that hourly paid staff were seeking “an uplift that reflects the responsibility, work and hours they do”, describing their pay as “just above minimum wage”.
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Investment
Wynarczyk said LBA, which is owned by Aaena - who also partly own Newcastle Airport - invested huge amounts in the regeneration of the airport, which they argue should include investment in staff.
LBA welcomed a record 4.45 million passengers in the year to March 2026, a four per cent increase on the previous year, according to its financial statement - but said its earnings had been impacted by ongoing investment and increased operating costs.
The new Central Search Zone introduces three security lanes this month, with two more due by the end of 2026.
Once all five are operating, screening capacity at the airport is expected to be double that of the previous operation.
Airport chief executive Vincent Hodder described the development as “a truly transformational investment that will significantly enhance the passenger experience”.
In response to the announcement of the planned strike action by its workers, LBA said profits had been reinvested into the airport for several years.
They said the regeneration programme included both the new security zone and staff welfare facilities opened this week.
Airport defends its pay offer
LBA describes its pay offer as “fair and responsible” and “significantly above inflation”, saying it reflected economic conditions and the business’s long-term sustainability.
The airport said it respected the employees’ right to take lawful industrial action but did not believe strikes were the right way to resolve the outstanding issues.
Unite regional officer Neil Whittaker said: “The airport is profitable, passenger numbers are growing and our members are a major part of its success.
“They deserve a fair pay rise, and management must come back to the table to deliver this.”
LBA said its priority was to minimise disruption for customers and maintain safe airport operations, and that it remained committed to constructive dialogue with Unite and welcomed further discussions aimed at resolving.
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