STAFF at London City Airport are threatening to walk out – for the first time ever.
Ground handling staff face going on strike at the UK airport over a dispute in regards to pay.
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The 120 Gatwick Ground Services (GSS) staff members, represented by the GMB union, are not directly employed by the airport.
However, they are demanding a 17 per cent pay increase, who claim current pay falling below the London Living Wage.
If the strike goes ahead, it will be the first of its kind for the airport.
GMB regional organiser Daren Parmenter told Travel Weekly: “Our members are very angry and upset.
“They work in central London and every other employer at London City pays the London Living Wage. GGS [Gatwick Ground Services] don’t pay anywhere near it.
“They need to uplift our members pay by 17 per cent to be on a par with Gatwick.”
He added that staff at London Gatwick have better pay, despite not being in the capital city.
He said: “It would close the airport if they took strike action.”
The majority of flights affected would be British Airways.
A London City Airport spokesperson told Sun Online Travel: “This strike action does not relate to staff employed by London City Airport and would not close the airport.
“All staff who are employed or contracted directly by London City Airport earn more than the London Living Wage.”
A GGS spokesperson also said: “Gatwick Ground Services remains fully committed to talks with the union and working to reach an agreement together.”
London City Airport first opened in 1987, with more than 3.4million passengers last year.
The airline flies to destinations across the UK and Europe, including Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Zurich, along with Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Some of it’s newest flights include London City to Guernsey, with Aurigny.
And last year ITA Airways launched two daily flights from London City to Rome.
While British Airways operates the most routes, other airlines include Lufthansa, Swiss and KLM.
The threat of strike comes after easyJet was forced to cancel more than 200 flights this week after another staff walkout.
The budget airline confirmed that 232 flights have been cancelled across Europe due to a three-day strike in Portugal.
Around 27 flights to and from the UK are included in the cancellations, affecting thousands of passengers.
An easyJet spokesperson said they were “disappointed with this needless strike” and that customers affected will be contacted.
And a public transport strike is set to take place across the Netherlands next month.
Flight compensation rules
A look at your rights if a flight is delayed or cancelled, when your entitled to compensation and if your travel insurance can cover the costs.
What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed?
Under UK law, airlines have to provide compensation if your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late.
If you’re flying to or from the UK, your airline must let you choose a refund or an alternative flight.
You will be able to get your money back for the part of your ticket that you haven’t used yet.
So if you booked a return flight and the outbound leg is cancelled, you can get the full cost of the return ticket refunded.
But if travelling is essential, then your airline has to find you an alternative flight. This could even be with another airline.
When am I not entitled to compensation?
The airline doesn’t have to give you a refund if the flight was cancelled due to reasons beyond their control, such as extreme weather.
Disruptions caused by things like extreme weather, airport or air traffic control employee strikes or other ‘extraordinary circumstances’ are not eligible for compensation.
Some airlines may stretch the definition of “extraordinary circumstances” but you can challenge them through the aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
Will my insurance cover me if my flight is cancelled?
If you can’t claim compensation directly through the airline, your travel insurance may refund you.
Policies vary so you should check the small print, but a delay of eight to 12 hours will normally mean you qualify for some money from your insurer.
Remember to get written confirmation of your delay from the airport as your insurer will need proof.
If your flight is cancelled entirely, you’re unlikely to be covered by your insurance.
Services in Amsterdam, The Hague and Rotterdam are all due to be impacted.
Here’s everything you need to know about being eligible for compensation for a cancelled flight.
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