Stansted and Gatwick strike to cause holiday chaos

Britons planning on enjoying the upcoming bank holiday will be dismayed to discover that two of the country’s busiest airports London Gatwick and Stansted-may be thrown into turmoil due to a major strike. The union representing check-in personnel and baggage handlers at Gatwick and Stansted has announced that they would walk off the job for a 24 hour period on August 25^th, 2008, which is a holiday throughout the UK. Passengers aboard some of the largest airlines will be affected, including Virgin Atlantic, Thomsonfly, Monarch and several others. While union representatives have indicated that Ryanair and easyJet flights would be “paralyzed” as a result of the strike, the two airlines have thus far rejected these claims.

The timing of the strike was likely chosen in order to garner the most attention and cause the greatest degree of disruption. More than 200,000 Britons are expected to travel through Gatwick and Stansted over the course of the holidays, which is traditionally among the busiest. To add to passenger woes, there are media reports that strikes may also go ahead at Manchester International Airport, as well as in Newcastle and Birmingham, causing further headaches for British travelers. Unionized ground staff members at these airports are expected to vote on possible labour action later this week.

www.gatwickairport.com