Passengers boarding flights from the major UK airports could experience in-flight food and drink shortages, a trade union has warned. 

Unite will hold a ballot for workers who supply meals, snacks, and refreshments for flights departing from major airports, including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, and Birmingham.

As per the union, the walkout may also have an impact on Manchester, Bristol, Glasgow, and London City Airport, which were scheduled to hit the busy Christmas travel period.

The union claimed travellers faced the prospect of “foodless fights” if its members at service provider dnata voted to down tools in a row over pay and conditions.

A Unite statement said: “Passengers at airports across the country are facing the prospect of having no onboard food or drink during long and short haul flights as dnata catering workers ballot for strike action.

“More than 700 dnata workers, providing food for airlines at Heathrow, Gatwick, Glasgow, London City, Stansted, Bristol, Manchester and Birmingham airports, are balloting for strike action.

“The production line, warehouse, and delivery workers are angry at the company’s attempts to change their terms and conditions without consultation.”

It added: “If strikes go ahead, major airlines including easyJet, Ryanair, TUI, BA, Emirates, American Airlines and Air India will be impacted.”

The union’s general secretary Sharon Graham said: “dnata’s attempts to bypass its workers and force through damaging changes to terms and conditions will not be tolerated.

“Unite’s dnata members have their union’s full and unflinching support in fighting its underhand attempts to impose these plans.”

In their statement, the union claimed the Dubai-based firm of refusing to consult with union representatives on issues including sick leave, staff holidays and shift rosters.

It added: “The industrial action ballot opened this week and will close on December 5, with strikes potentially being scheduled over the Christmas period.”

Unite national officer for aviation Balvinder Bir said: “Strikes would have a serious impact on major airlines at eight UK airports and will be entirely the fault of dnata.

“There is still time for industrial action to be avoided, but that will require dnata entering into meaningful negotiations with Unite about the changes it’s putting forward.”

A dnata Catering & Retail UK spokesperson told The Sun: “Despite our continuous efforts to reach a fair solution, Unite has rejected our reasonable proposals to enhance wages and conditions and initiated a ballot for industrial action.

2We have already implemented and paid a salary increase to our team to address cost-of-living pressures and recognise their contributions to the company. Our current, competitive offer is in line with market conditions, reflecting industry standards and comparable roles in the sector.

“We are surprised and disappointed by the union’s recent statement claiming we are changing terms and conditions without consultation, which is entirely inaccurate.

“We have consistently sought to engage in constructive discussions with the union throughout the negotiation process.

“We remain open to further dialogue and are committed to achieving an agreement that serves the interests of all parties and ensures the sustainability of our organisation.”