Warning passengers may face ‘foodless flights’ from Manchester and UK airports

Passengers have been warned they could face ‘foodless flights’ as dnata catering workers ballot for strike action. More than 700 dnata workers providing food for airlines at Heathrow, Gatwick, Glasgow, London City, Stansted, Bristol, Manchester and Birmingham airports could walk out in a dispute over working terms and conditions.

If the strikes go ahead it could impact flights over the Christmas period. Balvinder Bir, Unite national officer for aviation, warned that there’s still time for the dispute to be resolved.

Dnata (Dubai National Air Travel Agency) is one of the world's largest air services providers offering ground handling, cargo, travel, and flight catering services. It provides services for major airlines across the globe including easyJet, Ryanair, TUI, BA, Emirates, America Airlines and Air India, which could be affected if strike action goes ahead.

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At Manchester Airport dnata’s clients are: easyJet, Ryanair, Emirates, TUI, Air Lingus, Singapore airlines and Ethiopian airlines. If the strike action goes ahead it means passengers on both long and short haul flights could have no food.

The dispute is over plans which could impact rostering, variable working, seasonal working and annual leave. The industrial action ballot opened this week and will close on 5 December, with strikes potentially being scheduled over the Christmas period.

Unite national officer for aviation Balvinder Bir said: “Strikes would have a serious impact on major airlines at eight UK airports and will be entirely the fault of dnata. There is still time for industrial action to be avoided but that will require dnata entering into meaningful negotiations with Unite about the changes it is putting forward.”

A spokesperson for dnata Catering & Retail UK said: "Despite our continuous efforts to reach a fair solution, Unite has rejected our reasonable proposals to enhance wages and conditions and initiated a ballot for industrial action.

"We have already implemented and paid a salary increase to our team to address cost-of-living pressures and recognise their contributions to the company. Our current, competitive offer is in line with market conditions, reflecting industry standards and comparable roles in the sector.

"We are surprised and disappointed by the union's recent statement claiming we are changing terms and conditions without consultation, which is entirely inaccurate. We have consistently sought to engage in constructive discussions with the union throughout the negotiation process.

"We remain open to further dialogue and are committed to achieving an agreement that serves the interests of all parties and ensures the sustainability of our organisation."

Manchester Airport, easyJet, Ryanair, Emirates, TUI, Air Lingus, Singapore airlines and Ethiopian airlines have all been contacted for more information.

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