EXCLUSIVE: Manchester United and Tottenham will meet in the Europa League final next week but some fans travelling to Bilbao will have to contend with strike action
Football fans going to the Europa League final are facing travel chaos because of airport strike action. And potential delays and cancellations could leave Tottenham and Manchester United fans hundreds of pounds out of pocket.
The industrial action will affect flights out of Gatwick Airport next Tuesday and Wednesday when supporters are flying out to Bilbao. Refuelling staff - who work for Redline Oil Services Limited - are taking strike action after talks collapsed on new working terms.
EasyJet are still selling flights from Gatwick to Bilbao for £900-plus even though they could be delayed or cancelled and they would not be covered for compensation as it is seen as an exceptional circumstance.
Unite members at Redline are taking industrial action from Friday, May 16 to May 20 and then from May 23 to May 27 after they rejected the company’s new pay offer. The budget airline is one of the firm’s main clients.
There is also potential for delays because of a backlog from the strike action with fans already paying thousands of pounds to get to the all-English Europa League final.
Fans have spent huge sums on flights, travel and accommodation for the Tottenham and Manchester United tie. But they are facing potential travel chaos and a possible financial hit because of the industrial action.
Meanwhile, industrial action by Red Handling workers at Gatwick Airport over late and missing pension payments has been postponed to allow members to vote on new working terms.
Over 100 Unite members had been due to walk out this weekend but that has now been put on hold. They work in areas including baggage handling, check-in and flight dispatching.
Regional officer Ben Davis said: "Red Handling has returned to negotiations and made an improved offer and therefore Unite has suspended strike action to allow members to be balloted on the proposals.”
It is understood that EasyJet are confident that contingency plans are in place and the schedule will not be affected.