Passengers departing from Gatwick Airport should brace for further disruptions after ground staff announced another round of strikes over pay disputes.
Unite, the UK's leading union, has warned that more than 230 workers from two contracted firms, Red Handling and Wilson James, will participate in the walkouts.
The union estimates that the first wave of industrial action could disrupt 216 flights, potentially affecting around 45,000 passengers.
Red Handling, responsible for operations for airlines such as Norse Atlantic, Norwegian, Delta, and TAP Air Portugal, will see its workers strike for four days starting Friday, 18 August, and another four days from Friday, 25 August, encompassing the August bank holiday weekend.
Meanwhile, Wilson James employees, who operate Gatwick's passenger assistance contract across all airlines, will strike for three days from 18 August and another three days from 22 August.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham stated: "Red Handling and Wilson James need to wake up and smell the coffee. Other employers at the airport are prepared to pay the going rate and there is no excuse why they shouldn't do the same.
“There is no way our members will accept a real-terms pay cut and poverty pay."
“While we continue to engage with union partners transparently and in good faith, we are also preparing contingency plans for possible strike activity to ensure that the passengers who rely on us to support their journeys can plan with confidence,” stated a spokesperson for Wilson James.
A spokesperson for Wilson James called the strikes "disappointing" but mentioned ongoing dialogue and conciliation efforts supported by the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service.
Earlier this summer, around 1,000 Gatwick staff from four different companies dropped strike plans after being offered significant pay raises.
Heathrow avoided strikes in June after Unite members secured a 10% pay increase backdated for the whole of 2023.