08 Jul 2022 | 12:00 AM UTC
UK: Refueling workers at London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to strike July 21-24
Refueling workers at London Heathrow Airport (LHR), UK, to launch 72-hour strike from 05:00 July 21; significant flight disruptions likely.
Event
Aviation Fuel Services (AFS) staff plan to strike at London Heathrow Airport (LHR) 05:00 July 21-05:00 July 24 to protest the lack of pay increase over the last three years. About 50 AFS employees will participate in the 72-hour strike. Unless averted, the labor action will likely cause significant flight delays and cancellations for the more than 70 airlines serviced by the aviation fueling company at LHR, including Virgin Atlantic (VS), American Airlines (AA), United (UA), SAS (SK), Air France (AF), Emirates (EK), Delta (DL), KLM (KL), and Singapore Airlines (SQ). The strike will probably have minimal impact on British Airways (BA) operations given the carrier does not use AFS to fuel its aircraft at Heathrow.
This latest strike adds to Europe's ongoing aviation challenges as staffing shortages and other work stoppages have led to numerous canceled flights.
Advice
Confirm flights if booked to fly via LHR July 21-24. Do not check out of accommodations until onward travel is confirmed. Consider alternative travel arrangements if necessary and arrive at LHR early to allow extra time to clear passenger processing and airport security.
