Christmas flights threatened as airport fuel tanker drivers announce strikes

Fuel tanker drivers at Scotland’s largest airport have announced 19 days of strikes across Christmas.

The workers employed by North Air, which supplies fuel to airlines operating at Edinburgh airport, will take continuous industrial action from 5am on December 18 to 5am on January 6.

Unite the union had warned of strikes over the festive period if North Air failed to provide an improved pay deal, after an offer of a 4.5% rise was rejected.

A North Air spokesperson said the company is “disappointed” with the strike plan but open to further pay talks and is working to “minimise the impact of any strike action over the festive period”.

Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, said: “North Air is a highly profitable company that can fully afford to make a fair offer to our members but has refused to do so.

“Unite will always support our members in their fight for better jobs, pay and conditions.”

North Air said it employs 57 people at the airport and of these, 46 are operational workers who deal with refuelling and vehicle movements and could strike.

A North Air spokesperson said: “We are disappointed at Unite’s decision to proceed with industrial action at Edinburgh Airport.

“We successfully concluded negotiations with Unite at six other sites ahead of the annual review this summer, which has seen colleagues across the business receive a 4.5% increase in pay – significantly above current levels of inflation.

“We remain open to discussion and are committed to working with all parties to minimise the impact of any strike action over the festive period.”

An Edinburgh Airport spokesperson said: “We are disappointed that the two parties cannot reach a solution and urge them to continue discussions.

“We’re working with our airlines to understand their contingencies to minimise passenger disruption.”