Nearly 700 workers at Scottish airports have backed strike action in a dispute over pay, raising the prospect of major disruption during the busy summer travel period.
Trade union Unite the Union said workers at both Glasgow Airport and Edinburgh Airport had voted in favour of industrial action after rejecting pay offers from their employers.
Around 320 workers at Glasgow Airport are involved in the dispute. This includes about 170 security staff employed by ICTS and around 150 ground handling workers employed by Menzies Aviation.
The workers affected include dispatchers, allocators, airside agents, controllers and security staff working in passenger search areas.
Unite said strike dates would be announced in the coming days, with industrial action expected during the peak summer holiday period. The union said this could coincide with travel demand linked to the FIFA World Cup and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Around 370 workers employed by Edinburgh Airport Limited have also backed strike action. Those workers include airport ambassadors, engineers, managers and airside support officers.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Workers across Scotland’s largest airports have overwhelmingly backed summer strike.
“This is a direct result of their very profitable employers’ refusal to make a fair pay offer.
“The workers have no other option and the blame for this situation lies entirely with wealthy companies choosing to boost profits before people.”
Carrie Donoghue, Unite industrial officer, said strikes could have a major impact on passengers.
She said: “Strike dates will be set in the coming days.
“Strikes will severely disrupt planes and passengers during an extremely busy period with the World Cup, Commonwealth Games and summer holidays.
“The companies need to reflect on their workers’ anger and frustration shown by the willingness to take strike action and get back round the table with improved pay offers.”
Unite said ICTS (UK) Limited reported profits of £7.6 million in 2025, up from £4.4 million the previous year.
The union also said Menzies Aviation recently announced global revenues of $3 billion, while Edinburgh Airport Limited reported profits of £144.4 million for 2024.