Travelling To Europe? From Airports To Airlines, Here’s A List Of Strikes You Should Watch Out For

Thousands of flights have been cancelled and delayed around Europe, including in Italy, Belgium, Greece, and France, as a result of the widespread strikes by airports and airline employees. Understanding who is on strike in Europe, where and when they will happen, and whether people should be concerned about them is essential because strikes can have a huge impact on a person’s vacation. Staff shortages, disruptions, extended work hours, unfavourable working conditions, and lower pay are all problems plaguing the aviation sector. The issue has made it worse for many workers who experience a cost-of-living crisis and salary reductions as an outcome of the pandemic.

Strikes By The Airport & Airline Staff In Various Parts Of Europe

Image Credit: Canva Pro

A day before yesterday, the biggest union in Scotland, Unite, firmly supported industrial action after announcing that North Air tanker drivers are on the verge of going on strike. These tanker drivers provide fuel to aircraft that use Edinburgh Airport for their operations, as reported by Time Out. The Edinburgh Evening News said that United Airlines’ flights to New York, Emirates’ flights to Dubai, and Loganair’s flights to the islands are among the affected routes.

Travel may be disrupted on or around December 15 due to a 24-hour strike by Techno Sky employees, who oversee Italy’s air navigation services. A four-hour strike from 1 to 5 PM has also been announced by air traffic controllers at the airports of Bergamo Orio al Serio, Milan Linate, and Milan Malpensa. The Techno Sky firm is in charge of 45 airports in Italy.

Finnair operations are expected to be severely disrupted by strikes by the Finnish Air Line Pilots Association on December 9 and 13. It is anticipated that 300 flights will be cancelled during the two strike days, impacting 33,000 individuals, as reported by Time Out. It’s unlikely that every flight that is diverted will adhere to the original travel itinerary because of the volume of cancellations.

Employees of French airline easyJet have been on strike since September in protest of the company’s March 2025 plans to close its Toulouse hub, which may potentially affect 125 workers. The strike is expected to last until December 16.

Also Read: How Will The New Enclosures Introduced By Delhi Airport Help Combat Flight Delays?

Repercussions On People If Their Airline Goes On A Strike

Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Airlines are usually required to offer assistance or compensation if strike-related problems result in flight delays or cancellations. Travel insurance coverage and the airline’s terms of carriage determine this. View these facts on the website of the airline or insurance provider.

However, it is doubtful that you will receive compensation if you book a flight during a strike that the union has already declared. Verify the airline’s strike dates as well as those at the airports of departure and arrival before making a reservation.

Also Read: Kolkata Airport Reports 18 Bird Strikes In 11 Months; Authorities Discuss Actions To Mitigate Risks

Keep an eye on your flight status and be ready for any delays if your trip includes any of the airlines, locations, or dates listed above.

Cover Image Credit: Canva

For more such snackable content, interesting discoveries and the latest updates on food, travel and experiences in your city, download the Curly Tales App. Download HERE.