Airline refuellers strike for 24 hours at Melbourne Airport

Passengers flying on domestic and international flights out of one major Aussie airport could face disruptions today as critical workers strike for 24 hours.

Passengers on flights out of Melbourne airport could face major delays, as workers refuse to refuel planes for 24 hours.

Travellers on a number of airlines including Qantas could be looking at service disruptions as domestic and international flights are impacted by the strike from 4am on Wednesday.

The Transport Workers Union has told refuelling company Rivet that their workers will strike over pay negotiations.

Workers who refuel planes including Qantas and DHL flights will strike for 24 hours. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nicholas Eagar

While Qantas accounts for roughly 60 per cent of Rivet‘s refuelling work the company also services freight carrier DHL as well as international airlines Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Cathay Pacific.

It comes after 12 months of discussions over increasing workloads, attracting new staff and demands for higher pay.

A Qantas spokesman said they are not “expecting any material impact to our flights on Wednesday”.

The airline has put in place a number of measures to prevent any impact to customers including flying a spare A380 from Sydney to Melbourne with maximum fuel and using it to fill up other aircraft on the day.

They will also make the most of the limited refuelling capacity on the ground including tapping into other providers.

“We have worked closely with Melbourne Airport and other industry partners to minimise any impact on customers,” the spokesman said.

Customers are advised to proceed to the airport as they normally would and customers will be contacted directly if there are any changes.