As the holiday season approaches, major European airports are preparing for widespread strikes this Christmas. Workers are expressing their dissatisfaction over pay and working conditions during one of the busiest travel periods of the year. These strikes often come with little notice, making it essential for travelers to stay informed.
Upcoming Strikes Impacting Travel
With Christmas just around the corner, significant disruptions are expected across Europe. Here are the areas most affected by strikes:
Italy: Coordinated Strike on December 17
On December 17, airport staff in Italy will participate in a coordinated strike that could severely impact travel. The strike will include:
- Air traffic controllers from ENAV at Rome Airport.
- Ground services employees from Assohandlers at major airports including Ryanair, Wizz Air, and easyJet.
- Staff from ITA Airways and Vueling.
- Ground personnel for Air France and KLM.
The four-hour walkout is scheduled from 1 PM to 5 PM but is likely to create delays throughout the day at major airports such as Rome, Milan, Venice, Naples, and Catania.
UK: Christmas Strikes at London Airports
Multiple strikes are planned at London airports during the festive period:
- From December 19 to 22 and December 26 to 29, easyJet ground staff at Luton Airport will walk out, affecting check-in and baggage handling.
- Cabin crew members of Scandinavian Airlines Services (SAS) will strike from December 22 to 24 and on December 26.
These strikes could disrupt flights to key hubs such as Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Oslo. Workers have expressed that low pay has forced them to rely on food banks.
Spain: Ongoing Baggage Handling Disruptions
Since the summer, employees of Ryanair’s ground handling partner, Azul Handling, have been staging weekly strikes. These will continue until December 31:
- Strikes occur on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays during three time slots: 5-9 AM, 12-3 PM, and 9 PM to midnight.
Travelers at airports including Alicante, Barcelona, and Madrid will likely experience delays in check-in and luggage handling.
Future Strikes in Italy
Following the December 17 strike, more travel disruptions are anticipated in January. A four-hour strike has been called for January 9 by CUB Transporti, representing ground staff nationwide. Additionally, Swissport Italia at Milan Linate Airport will strike for a full 24 hours on the same day.
Flight delays and cancellations are expected, particularly for flights arriving or departing from Verona Airport on January 31, where air traffic control workers will also engage in a walkout.
Travelers should consult official sources, such as Italy’s civil aviation authority (ENAC), for updates on guaranteed flights and regulations regarding cancellations and compensation.
In summary, with workers across multiple European countries planning strikes, travelers should remain vigilant and informed. Checking potential flight disruptions before travel can help mitigate the chaos of the holiday season.
