Strikes could hit peak festive season flights at Edinburgh Airport

Strikes have been threatened at Edinburgh Airport over the festive season in a dispute over pay which could impact domestic and international flights. Tanker drivers employed by North Air, supplying fuel to airlines, are on the verge of taking strike action, it was announced by the Unite union. The pay dispute relates to a rejected 4.5% pay offer by North Air after years of below-inflation pay increases, according to Unite. Union members represented by Unite “overwhelmingly” backed strike action in a drive to secure a better pay offer, despite recent talks with Acas, a spokesperson said on Monday. However there has been no enhanced pay offer by the company. Unite warned that unless there is “movement over pay” in the coming days then strike dates will be issued which would “directly hit” peak festive season flights. Routes that could be affected include United Airlines to New York, Emirates to Dubai and Loganair’s domestic routes to the islands. Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, said: “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.” S&JD Robertson North Air Ltd is a profitable company which in its latest accounts registered an increase in pre-tax profits from GBP1.1m in 2022 to GBP1.9m in 2023. Turnover increased by GBP33.2m to GBP40.4m over the same time period. <br/>