STRIKES by airport tanker drivers at Edinburgh Airport are set to take place over Christmas and New Year with several key routes to face disruption.
North Air fuel tanker drivers at the airport will go on strike over 19 days in a dispute over pay.
A large number of key routes flying in and out of the airport will be impacted by the strike as North Air is the only fuel supply company providing services to domestic and long-haul flights from Edinburgh airport.
The strike action will start on December 18 at 5am and is planned to finish on January 6.
North Air provides refuelling services for domestic and international airlines who fly into and out of Scotland's largest airport in Edinburgh.
A number of key routes will be directly impacted, Unite said.
Prestigious routes include United Airlines to New York and Emirates to Dubai along with Loganair's domestic routes to the islands.
Unite has warned that North Air must present a better pay offer to avoid strikes during the end-of-year celebrations.
It said North Air has declined to resume pay negotiations with the Unite to attempt to prevent travel disruption.
Sharon Graham, Unite's general secretary said: “North Air is a highly profitable company that can fully afford to make a fair offer to our members but has refused to do so. Unite will always support our members in their fight for better jobs, pay and conditions.”
The dispute centres around the company's rejection of a 4.5% pay offer, following several years of pay increases that fell below inflation.
Carrie Binnie, Unite industrial officer, said: “North Air has no concern for their workers or the travelling public.
“Unite has had no option but to confirm imminent industrial action. North Air now has very limited time to resolve this dispute. The company's belligerence is at serious risk of causing widespread travel disruption at Edinburgh airport over the festive season.”
A spokesperson for North Air said: “We are disappointed at Unite’s decision to proceed with industrial action at Edinburgh Airport.
“We successfully concluded negotiations with Unite at six other sites ahead of the annual review this summer, which has seen colleagues across the business receive a 4.5% increase in pay - significantly above current levels of inflation.
“We remain open to discussion and are committed to working with all parties to minimise the impact of any strike action over the festive period.”
