Shutdown at Bournemouth Airport as workers set to strike over pay

Bournemouth Airport (BOH) is expected to face major disruption next month as around 100 Unite members across different roles prepare to take strike action in two separate disputes over pay.

The first dispute involves staff in baggage handling, check-in, flight dispatching and plane fuelling. They have rejected a pay offer of five per cent for the lowest paid, bringing them to £12.27 per hour, just six pence above the national minimum wage. Higher paid staff were offered 4.5 per cent.

The second involves airport fire service staff, covered by a separate bargaining agreement, who have also rejected the same deal. Both offers form part of a two-year proposal linked to CPI (Consumer Price Index) inflation for 2026. Unite argues that CPI is historically lower than RPI (Retail Price Index), which is seen as a fairer measure when calculating pay rises.

Strikes are planned from 5 to 7 September and on 14 September. Action is expected to cause severe disruption, with the airport potentially shutting down if fire service staff withdraw their labour.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “With so many workers in different roles taking action, this will be a highly disruptive strike – but it is entirely the fault of Bournemouth Airport, who is prioritising its own interests and profits over that of its hardworking staff. Unite will back our members all the way in their pursuit for the pay rise they deserve.”

Workers say they have faced years of low pay and the cost-of-living crisis has made essentials such as bills and groceries increasingly unaffordable. They argue that the current offers amount to a real-terms pay cut.

At the same time, Bournemouth Airport remains profitable. This year it raised airport charges by five per cent and has invested more than £50 million in expansion projects to meet rising passenger demand.

Unite regional officer Janet Wall said: “We know those looking to travel for leisure or business from Bournemouth Airport during these dates will be concerned to hear of such disruptive strikes, but our members have been left with no choice but to take action. The airport has failed to invest in hardworking staff by offering them a fair pay rise. They should not be struggling to afford the basics when working for a profitable, growing airport. Management needs to return to the negotiating table with a deal that is acceptable to our members.”

Bournemouth Airport serves more than 950,000 passengers each year, with flights to 34 destinations in Europe and North Africa, including popular holiday routes operated by TUI and Ryanair.

Statement from Bournemouth Airport about planned industrial action by Unite members

The Unite union has today (Friday, 22^nd August) informed Bournemouth Airport that their members intend to undertake industrial action.

The dates of the proposed action are Friday 5^th September to Sunday 7^th September, and Sunday 14^th September.

Preparations are well underway by the airport on contingency plans to minimise any disruption on these dates.

In the meantime, we are in ongoing negotiations with Unite and remain hopeful we can work constructively with them to reach agreement without the need for industrial action.

Unite’s ballot result, shared with the airport, showed that of the 89 Unite members at Bournemouth Airport eligible to vote, 61 (68.5%) voted in favour of strike action. This represents about 13% of Bournemouth Airport’s total workforce of 450.

Passengers due to fly on any of the planned strike days are advised to check with their airline nearer the time for the very latest information about their flight.

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