Skiers & Snowboarders Face Airport Disruption at Xmas
8th December 2022
Last modified on December 11th, 2022
Planned strikes by UK border staff could cause delays and cancellations. The government is urging people to ‘think carefully’ before travelling by air. UPDATED
Staff at six UK airports are set to stage walkouts from 23rd December to Boxing Day, and then again from 28th December to New Year’s Eve.
- Heathrow
- Gatwick
- Manchester
- Birmingham
- Cardiff
- Glasgow
Stanstead is off the list so skiers and snowboarders looking for a last minute deal may want to look at Stanstead as an option for flying in and out of the UK.
So too regional airports like Bristol, Leeds, Liverpool & Newcastle.
“We’re booking a lot more last minute ski holidays via Stansted, as it’s looking like the London airport with no strikes, “ said CEO of SNO Richard Sinclair.
“We expect the Stansted and Bristol late ski deals to sell out first.”
The timing of any action hits two of the busiest weeks of the ski season – Christmas and New Year.
It is expected that any disruption will mainly affect people flying back into the UK.
The strikes come at one of the busiest times for travel to ski resorts and the start of the season with tour operators and agents reporting a drop in sales.
It is the first Christmas since 2019 that airlines have been able to operate flights to the Alps and other ski areas without widespread Covid restrictions.
They coincide with walkouts by train and rail workers, so even getting to the airport could cause problems.
“If they go ahead with those strikes there will be undeniable, serious disruption caused to many thousands of people who have holiday plans,” said the Home Secretary, Suella Braverman.
“I really want to urge people who have got plans to travel abroad to think carefully about their plans because they may well be impacted.”
“It’s very regrettable that they have made this decision to potentially strike over critical times in the run-up and following Christmas and the New Year,” she added.
About 1,000 members of the PCS union are striking over pay.
“The government can stop these strikes tomorrow if it puts money on the table,” said the General Secretary of the PCS, Mark Serwotka.
“Like so many workers, our members are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis. They are desperate.”
Flying over the Alps. Image © PlanetSKI
EasyJet has said it was “too early” to say what impact the strikes would have on its flight schedules.
“We are disappointed that Border Force staff have decided to take strike action at this particular time,” said a statement from Gatwick.
“We expect that flights will operate as normal and remain in regular contact with Border Force about their mitigation plans.
“Additional airport staff will also be made available to help with passenger welfare on strike days.”
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed the military have been on site at London’s Heathrow and Gatwick airports earlier to cover Border Force strikes.
Armed forces personnel have been training at the airports ahead of the planned strikes.
It is thought about 100 troops are at Gatwick and Heathrow.
Overall, around 600 personnel have been called up to help during the Border Force strikes.
Gatwick airport. Image © PlanetSKI
Here at PlanetSKI we are keeping a close eye on the situation and will be updating as the situation develops.
Our top tip is to use Stanstead airport if you are thinking of heading to the mountain over the festive period.
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