Perth Airport strike to hit intl flights Aug 21 to 22

Published on Aug 20, 2025, 12:11 pm CDT

5 min read

Ground handlers employed by dnata at Perth Airport (PER) will walk off the job from 530 pm on August 21 to 1000 am on August 22, AWST. The protected action targets international departures and air freight, with knock-on delays possible before and after the stoppage as airlines reposition crews and equipment. The Transport Workers Union says members rejected dnata's latest proposal, citing lower pay than other Australian cities. Travelers connecting via Perth should plan extra time, consider rerouting, and avoid tight connections during the strike window.

Key Points

Why it matters: International departures and cargo at Perth face schedule disruption during the dnata walkout.
Travel impact: Expect delays, cancellations, and lengthy lines around the strike start and end times.
What's next: Airlines will activate contingency staffing, but capacity to backfill ground roles is limited.
Ballot approval for protected action was recorded with Australia's Fair Work Commission.
Destinations most exposed include Singapore, the UAE, South Africa, Vietnam, and New Zealand.

Snapshot

The 16.5-hour strike lands squarely in Perth's busy long-haul departure bank on Thursday evening and Friday morning. dnata provides passenger services, ramp, and cargo handling for multiple international carriers at Perth, so disruption risk clusters around widebody departures and inbound turns that rely on dnata crews. Freight flows may also slow as warehouses and tugs pause or operate with skeleton teams. Even flights that operate could depart late as aircraft wait for ground equipment, catering, or baggage to be cleared. If you are ticketed on an itinerary connecting via PER during the window, build in generous buffer time, monitor your booking closely, and avoid same-day onward connections where possible.

Background

Perth is Western Australia's main international gateway, with evening departures to hubs across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. The Transport Workers Union signaled escalating action after members endorsed protected industrial measures. A recent Fair Work Commission ballot shows TWU and dnata Airport Services progressed to the protected action stage. Similar dnata walkouts earlier this year at other Australian airports produced multi-hour delays for outbound flights, particularly on long-haul and Asia-connecting services. While dnata says its offer aligns with market standards, the union argues Perth workers are paid less than counterparts in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Adelaide, and seeks higher wages and improved rostering. Airlines typically deploy managers and contractors during stoppages, but specialized ramp and load control roles create bottlenecks that are difficult to fully replace.

Latest Developments

Strike timing, scope, and the flights most at risk

The walkout is scheduled from 530 pm AWST on Thursday, August 21, through 1000 am AWST on Friday, August 22. That span covers peak evening long-haul departures and the critical Friday morning bank when international arrivals turn for same-day outbound flights. Media and union statements flag likely impacts to services bound for Singapore, the UAE, South Africa, Vietnam, and New Zealand, plus cargo operations. Domestic services are less exposed where dnata is not the contracted handler, but travelers should still expect ripple effects if shared equipment or stands are delayed. Plan for extended check-in times, gate holds while baggage is reconciled, and late-arriving aircraft that compress turnaround schedules. If a flight operates, boarding and pushback could still run behind normal timing.

If you connect via PER, how to protect your trip

Connections through Perth during the window warrant extra caution. Avoid minimum connection times and aim for at least a three-hour buffer between international legs. If your itinerary allows, move to a nonstop or reroute through another hub on the same alliance. Ask your carrier to reissue onto earlier departures on August 21 or later flights on August 22. For checked bags, pack medications and essentials in your carry-on, since baggage transfer is often the first pinch point during industrial action. Build in flexibility for ground transport and hotel check-in on arrival, and enroll in airline alerts so you receive retimes and gate changes promptly. If a cancellation occurs, request reaccommodation on the next available flight, including partners, per your fare rules.

Analysis

Ground handling is the connective tissue of airport operations, and dnata's role at Perth concentrates risk in a narrow time band when long-haul aircraft arrive, unload, and turn for evening departures. Because handlers control a chain of tasks, from check-in counters and boarding gates to baggage loading and pushback, small staffing gaps cascade quickly into longer queues and missed slots. Even robust airline contingency plans have limits, since licensed staff, tug drivers, and load controllers must meet training and safety requirements. Cargo adds another layer, with warehouse cut-offs and customs handovers that depend on experienced labor to keep freight moving.

For travelers, the practical takeaway is to increase resilience. Separate critical meetings or cruises from arrival by at least a day, and prefer itineraries with fewer moving parts. If you are midway through a multi-segment trip, consider advancing to an earlier departure or holding over until Friday afternoon to avoid the churn. Perth's geography means many itineraries hinge on a single nightly option to a given hub, so missing that departure can add a full day. If a reroute is necessary, ask agents to search alliance partners and nearby dates, and confirm any special service requests if you travel with accessibility needs.

Final Thoughts

The dnata stoppage at Perth is short, but it sits at a sensitive point in the schedule, which amplifies disruption. Build buffers, reroute where feasible, and do not bank on minimum connection times during the window. Monitor your airline app, and keep essentials in your carry-on in case baggage lags behind. If plans are flexible, shift to flights well before 530 pm on August 21, or after 1000 am on August 22, to clear the operational reset. With a little planning, you can reduce the risks posed by the Perth Airport strike.