EasyJet to run full service despite Gatwick strike

Gatwick Airport's largest carrier EasyJet is expecting to run its full schedule during half-term despite industrial action at its oil refuelers.

Staff at Redline Oil Services, which fuels airlines including EasyJet, are taking industrial action between Friday and Tuesday after unanimously rejecting the company's pay offer.

However, strike action from baggage handlers, check-in staff and flight dispatchers over what they said were late and missing pension payments - which would have run on the same dates - was suspended to allow Unite members to vote on new terms.

A Gatwick spokesperson said: "We are aware of the proposed industrial action from Redline Oil and are working closely with them and our airlines to minimise impacts to passengers."

EasyJet, which had 44% of Gatwick's customers in 2024 (43.2m people), says it expects to operate as scheduled as contingency plans are in place at the airport.

The industrial action by more than 100 Red Handling workers at Gatwick was put on hold for at least two weeks.

The union said it had received proof that pension contributions had been paid, but the remaining day of strike action by baggage handlers on 1 June was still due to go ahead pending the ballot's outcome, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Unite explained that Red Handling had agreed to cover the loss of interest on any contributions not paid, and to carry out an independent audit to ensure missing pensions contributions did not happen again.

A spokesperson from Red Handling UK said: "We are pleased to have responded positively and fully to all historical issues raised, resolving every point quickly and collaboratively.  

"We will continue to work with Unite the Union to work towards a solution to ending the dispute."

Unite and Redline Oil has been contacted for a comment.

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