Gatwick Airport Strike

Baggage handlers, check-in agents and flight dispatchers at Gatwick Airport are set to go on strike from Good Friday (18 April) through to the early hours of Tuesday 22 April.

Major disruption is expected, affecting around 50 flights per day and causing long queues, baggage delays and potential last-minute scheduling changes.

Please note that our travel insurance policies cannot provide cover for known circumstances (before purchasing insurance or booking a trip) that could reasonably be expected to cause a delay or cancellation. Therefore, there is no cover in relation to the strikes at Gatwick Airport for policies purchased on or after 9 April 2025 (when the strike was officially announced).

Disruption of your trip

Does UK law apply to your flight?

Under UK law, you have important disruption rights on any flight that is:

  • departing from an airport in the UK on any airline, or
  • arriving at an airport in the UK on an EU or UK airline; or
  • arriving at an airport in the EU on a UK airline

If your flight is coming into the UK on a non-UK airline, please check the terms and conditions of your booking.

Delayed or missed departures

Under UK law, your airline must provide you with care and assistance if your flight is delayed by more than:

  • 2 hours for a short-haul flight
  • 3 hours for a medium-haul flight
  • 4 hours for a long-haul flight

In these circumstances they must provide:

  • a reasonable amount of food and drink (often provided in the form of vouchers)
  • accommodation if you have to stay overnight (or longer) while waiting for an alternative flight
  • transport to and from any necessary accommodation
  • a way for you to communicate (often provided by refunding the cost of calls)

If you are delayed by more than 5 hours and no longer wish to travel, you may be entitled to a full refund from your carrier (see ‘Cancellation of your trip’ below).

If your airline is unable to arrange assistance, you have the right to organise this yourself and claim back the cost from your carrier later. However, be sure to keep all receipts and not spend more than necessary.

Under your Southdowns travel insurance, cover is provided subject to the normal terms, conditions and exclusions of the Delayed Departure and (if selected as an optional cover) Travel Disruption sections of your policy wording.

Cancellation of your trip

Does UK law apply to your flight?

Under UK law, you have important cancellation rights on any flight that is:

  • departing from an airport in the UK on any airline, or
  • arriving at an airport in the UK on an EU or UK airline; or
  • arriving at an airport in the EU on a UK airline

If your flight was coming into the UK on a non-UK airline, please check the terms and conditions of your booking.

Independent (non-package) bookings

If your flight is cancelled as a result of the strike, under UK law you are entitled to your choice of a replacement flight or a full refund.

If you still want to travel, your airline must find you an alternative flight and must provide care and assistance until they’re able to fly you to your destination.

In these circumstances they must provide:

  • a reasonable amount of food and drink (often provided in the form of vouchers)
  • accommodation if you have to stay overnight (or longer) while waiting for an alternative flight
  • transport to and from any necessary accommodation
  • a way for you to communicate (which is often provided by refunding the cost of calls)

If your airline is unable to arrange assistance, you have the right to organise this yourself and claim back the cost later. However, be sure to keep all receipts and not spend more than necessary.

Package trips

If your package provider has cancelled your booking as a result of the strike, you should contact your tour operator to discuss your options.

If your package provider is an ABTA member, you are entitled to a suitable alternative flight or a full refund.

Delayed flights once the strike has concluded

Once the strike at Gatwick has concluded, disruption and delays may continue due to the volume of impacted flights.

In these circumstances, cover is provided subject to the normal terms, conditions and exclusions of the Delayed Departure and (if selected as an optional cover) Travel Disruption sections of your policy wording.

Useful links

Please note that this advice is provided based on the current information available and is subject to change as the situation at Gatwick develops.