Stansted Airport Faces May Bank Holiday Strike Action

April 25, 2026 — London Stansted Airport, the UK's fourth busiest air hub, is preparing for potential travel disruption during the upcoming May Bank Holiday weekend. Approximately 100 staff members are scheduled to undertake strike action between May 3 and May 6, following a dispute over pay.

The planned walkout, organized by Unite the Union, predominantly involves personnel responsible for assisting passengers with disabilities, a critical service for boarding and disembarking flights. This industrial action is expected to lead to delays as the airport manages the impact on passenger services.

Strike Details and Impact

Unite the Union called for the strike after its members rejected a recent pay offer, which they deemed "substandard." The union states that the employer, ABM, makes substantial profits while its staff grapples with low wages.

Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, stated, "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."

The strike is anticipated to affect the efficient boarding and disembarking of passengers requiring assistance, potentially causing extended waiting times and overall delays for travelers utilizing the airport over the long weekend. London Stansted Airport recorded 2.74 million passengers in May of the previous year, highlighting the significant volume of travelers expected.

Union Stance and Previous Action

Steve Edwards, Unite regional officer, emphasized the union's position, stating, "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."

This upcoming strike follows a previously planned walkout from April 17 to April 20, which was ultimately called off. The union maintains that its members will continue to strike until a satisfactory resolution is reached regarding their pay dispute.

Recent Airport Fee Increases

Adding to recent operational changes at Stansted Airport, drop-off parking charges were significantly increased. In March, the fee for express drop-off (up to 15 minutes) rose by nearly 50 percent, from £7 to £10. Fees for longer stays, up to 30 minutes, also increased from £25 to £28.

These adjustments position Stansted Airport as the second most expensive airport in the UK for drop-off fees, surpassed only by Gatwick Airport, which charges £10 for 10 minutes.

London Stansted Airport has been contacted for comment regarding the impending strike action.