Unite, Scotland’s leading aviation union, has confirmed that two groups of key workers at Aberdeen Airport have secured improved pay agreements following the threat of strike action.
Around 70 employees of Aberdeen International Airport accepted a one-year deal providing a 4.2% pay increase after backing industrial action in a ballot. The agreement covers administrative staff, airfield operators, technicians, firefighters, and crew commanders. Airport owners reported profits of £12.1 million in 2024.
A separate dispute involving approximately 70 ICTS employees based at Aberdeen Airport has also been settled after workers voted in favor of an enhanced offer.
The agreement applies to ICTS central search staff, who work directly with passengers in airport security screening areas. Employees accepted a two-year package that includes a 5% increase in basic pay and shift allowances, backdated to January 1, along with an additional bank holiday this year.
From January 1, 2027, workers will receive a pay increase linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI) inflation rate plus 1% on basic and shift pay, alongside improvements to terms and conditions.
Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham said: “Aberdeen airport workers have secured good deals backed by the membership. The enhanced pay offers only came about due to the threat of strike action and our members being prepared to fight for a greatly improved pay deal.”
However, an industrial action ballot involving ICTS hold baggage screening (HBS) security staff remains open and is due to close on June 17. No revised pay offer has been made since workers rejected the previous proposal.
Parent company ICTS (UK) Limited reported profits of £7.6 million in 2025, up from £4.4 million the previous year, according to accounts filed in April.
Unite industrial officer Paula Buchan said the union had successfully resolved the disputes involving Aberdeen Airport and ICTS central search staff, adding that the agreements provide greater financial security for members.
She warned that the remaining dispute involving ICTS hold baggage security workers could still result in disruption at Aberdeen Airport unless an improved offer is made.
“The threat of disruption to Aberdeen airport is still real unless an improved offer is tabled. The ball is in ICTS’ court to bring this final dispute to an end,” Buchan said.
Aberdeen airport is the third busiest airport in Scotland with 2.3 million passengers in 2025. In the first quarter of 2026, the airport handled 467,350 passengers, down 2% on the year before.
