Thursday, August 22, 2024 Travelers passing through Sydney Airport on Friday, August 23, 2024, are likely to face significant disruptions due to a 12-hour strike by plane refuellers. The strike, organized by over 50 workers from Ampol Aviation, is set to impact 16 airlines and both domestic and international flights. The industrial action, which will occur across multiple shifts, is in response to a prolonged dispute over pay disparity and lack of secure employment.
With potential flight cancellations and delays, this strike is expected to have a ripple effect on the tourism sector, both in Australia and for travelers coming from abroad. How the Strike Could Disrupt Flights The strike is scheduled to take place in three separate time slots: from 1-5am, 7-11am, and 6-10pm on August 23. During these periods, refuellers will halt operations, which is likely to cause significant delays and cancellations, particularly for longer domestic routes and international flights.
Flights to and from major destinations like Perth, Darwin, Melbourne, and Brisbane are expected to be heavily impacted. International flights, especially those operated by airlines such as Qantas, Virgin, Jetstar, Air New Zealand, Delta, and British Airways, may also face cancellations or significant delays. Sydney Airport has indicated that contingency plans are in place to mitigate disruptions, including bringing in additional staff to manage refueling operations, but travelers are still advised to remain vigila.