Strikes can cause serious travel disruption, leading to long flight flight delays, last-minute flight cancellations, and missed connections. When airport staff or air traffic control workers go on strike, passengers are often left stuck at the airport.
A common question is whether strike-related disruptions qualify for compensation under UK261 or EU261. The answer isn’t always simple, because it depends on who is striking and whether the airline is considered responsible for the disruption.
In this article, we explain how UK261 and EU261 apply to airport staff and air traffic control strikes, when compensation may be available, and what your rights are to care, refunds, and rebooking.
Check your compensation online.
Airport Staff and Air Traffic Control Strikes Are Third-Party Strikes
A third-party strike is a strike caused by workers who are not employed by the airline.
This can include:
- Air Traffic Control strikes (ATC strikes)
- Airport staff strikes, such as baggage handlers, ground staff, security, or border control
- Strikes by other airport service providers
Because these workers are outside the airline’s direct control, third-party strikes are usually treated as extraordinary circumstances under Regulation EU261 and UK261. Just like bad weather and security issues.
Airport Staff and Air Traffic Control Strike: Compensation Eligibility
Can you get UK/EU flight compensation for airport staff and Air Traffic Control strike?
In most cases, no.
If your Loganair flight is delayed or cancelled due to an air traffic control strike or an airport staff strike, you are usually not entitled to UK261/EU261 compensation because these events are considered extraordinary circumstances.
However, you still have important passenger rights.
Loganair must provide:
- Meals and refreshments during long waits (starting from 3 hours)
- Hotel accommodation and transport if an overnight stay is needed
- Rebooking or a full refund if your flight is cancelled
So even if compensation isn’t payable, the airline must still assist you during the disruption.
Learn more:
Flight cancelled due to air traffic control? Compensation is not available because ATC issues are considered extraordinary circumstances.
What About Loganair Staff Strikes?
The rules are different when the strike involves Loganair’s own employees, such as pilots, cabin crew, or airline ground staff. Courts have generally found that these strikes are not extraordinary circumstances, because the airline is expected to manage its staff and working conditions.
So if your flight is delayed or cancelled due to a Loganair staff strike, you may be entitled to disrupted flight compensation, as well as your rights to care and rebooking or a refund.
Loganair flight cancelled due to strike? Compensation is due only when it’s a Loganair staff strike. If it’s air traffic control or airport staff strike, you can’t get compensation.
Learn more: Loganair Strike Compensation
Check your compensation online.
How to Tell the Difference Between Third-Party and Airline Strikes
Airlines don’t always explain clearly who was actually on strike — they may simply say “it was a strike.” If that happens, here’s what you can do:
- Ask for the reason in writing. Find out if it was ATC, airport staff, or the airline’s own crew.
- Check reliable news sources. Airport and air traffic control strikes are usually publicly reported.
- Challenge the airline if needed. If the strike involved the airline’s own staff, you can argue that compensation should still apply.
Airport strikes are frustrating, but your rights depend on who was striking.
Read more: How to Claim Compensation from Loganair?
What to Do If Your Flight Is Disrupted by a Strike?
If your flight is delayed or cancelled because of a strike, taking a few simple steps can protect your rights and make it easier to claim what you’re entitled to.
- Ask for the reason in writing. Request a clear explanation from the airline stating who was on strike (air traffic control, airport staff, or the airline’s own employees). This matters for Loganair strike compensation eligibility.
- Keep your boarding pass and booking confirmation. Save any documents that prove you had a valid ticket and were booked on the disrupted flight.
- Save receipts for extra expenses. If you pay for meals, transport, or a hotel during the disruption, keep receipts. You may be able to claim these costs back under your right to care.
- Track your arrival time at the final destination. Compensation is usually based on how late you arrived, not how long you waited at the airport. Use your actual arrival time to calculate the delay.
Don’t take the airline’s word at face value. Always ask for proof of who was striking. Was it an airport staff strike or an Air Traffic Control strike? Or was it Loganair staff strike? This is important. It could mean the difference between no payout and up to €600 in compensation.
Featured photo by Cihat Dede from Pexels