Friday, August 23, 2024 Sydney Airport is set to experience major disruptions tomorrow, Friday, 23 August 2024, as plane refuellers go on a 12-hour strike. The industrial action, organized by more than 50 workers from Ampol Aviation, will impact both domestic and international flights, affecting 16 airlines, including Qantas, Virgin Australia, Jetstar, Air New Zealand, Delta, and British Airways. The strike is a result of ongoing disputes over pay disparity and the lack of secure, full-time employment, following six months of unsuccessful negotiations between the workers and Ampol Aviation.
The planned industrial action will take place across three key shifts: from 1:00 AM to 5:00 AM, 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM, and 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM, effectively covering a large portion of the day and targeting peak travel times. These strikes are expected to cause significant delays and cancellations, particularly for longer domestic routes, such as flights to Perth and Darwin, as well as long-haul international flights. Sydney Airport, one of Australia’s busiest travel hubs, has warned travelers to be prepared for potential disruptions and stay alert for updates from their airlines.
Flights from Sydney to major domestic destinations like Melbourne and Brisbane are also likely to be affected, adding to the potential chaos at the airport. In response to the strike, Sydney Airport and Ampol Aviation have announced contingency plans to mitigate the potential disruptions. According to a spokespers.