Across Europe, airport workers are walking out to protest low wages and difficult working conditions.
Unions have described employer behavior during the festive season as “Grinch-style,” criticizing management for taking advantage of staff when travel costs and workloads peak.
Christmas and winter holiday travel has increasingly collided with strikes, as workers target the busiest periods to push for better pay and conditions.
Some strikes are planned months in advance, giving travelers and airlines time to prepare. Others appear suddenly, sometimes only hours before they begin, leaving passengers scrambling to adjust plans.
For anyone traveling over the holidays, checking for updates before leaving the house has become essential to avoid sudden cancellations, long delays, or lost baggage.
As the festive season approaches, multiple strikes threaten disruption across Europe’s airports and rail networks.
Travelers whose flights or trains are delayed or canceled may be entitled to refunds, rebooking, or compensation, but the process can be stressful.
It’s important for passengers to familiarize themselves with their rights and airline or railway policies before setting out.
Italy Braces for Coordinated Airport Strikes
On 17 December, Italy will see coordinated walkouts across several airports.
The strike will involve a mix of ground handlers, airline staff, and air traffic controllers, all working together to demand better conditions and fair pay.
ENAV staff at Rome airport, responsible for air traffic control, will join the strike.
Assohandlers, which manages ground services for major airlines, will also participate, supporting carriers like Ryanair, Wizz Air, and easyJet.
Staff from ITA Airways, the national airline, as well as Vueling and ground crews for Air France and KLM, will also take part.
The strike officially runs from 1 pm to 5 pm, but officials warn that travel may be disrupted throughout the day.
Passengers could face long queues for check-in, delayed baggage handling, and flight delays at airports in Milan, Rome, Venice, Naples, and Catania.
Italy’s civil aviation authority, ENAC, has published a list of flights guaranteed to operate, but many travelers should expect disruptions.
UK and Spain Face Extended Holiday Disruption
In the UK, easyJet ground staff at London Luton Airport will strike from 19 to 22 December and again from 26 to 29 December.
These walkouts will likely cause delays at check-in and baggage counters, affecting passengers trying to make flights on busy holiday days.
Heathrow Airport is also preparing for disruption.
Scandinavian Airlines Services (SAS) cabin crew will strike from 22 to 24 December and again on 26 December.
Flights to major hubs like Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Oslo are expected to experience delays or cancellations.
Unions say low pay has forced some airline staff to rely on food banks while traveling to high-cost destinations.
Unite regional officer Callum Rochford criticized SAS for exploiting workers’ goodwill and called the airline responsible for any canceled Christmas flights.
Meanwhile, in Spain, baggage handlers working for Azul Handling, Ryanair’s ground service partner, continue weekly strike action.
Since the summer, these workers have protested over wages, bonuses, and job stability.
Until 31 December, they will strike on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, during early mornings, afternoons, and late evenings.
Travelers using Spanish airports such as Madrid, Barcelona-El Prat, Malaga, Palma de Mallorca, Alicante, Ibiza, Tenerife South, Seville, and Valencia should expect longer queues and delays with check-in and luggage collection.
Italy Plans More Strikes in the New Year
After the December strikes, Italy is set for further disruption in January.
On 9 January, ground staff represented by CUB Transporti will strike nationwide for four hours, from 1 pm to 5 pm, affecting airports across the country.
Swissport Italia employees at Milan Linate Airport will also stage a 24-hour walkout that same day.
Additionally, travelers using Verona airport on 31 January may face disruption as ENAV air traffic control staff walk out.
Italy’s civil aviation authority, ENAC, has published guaranteed flight lists for affected travelers, but authorities warn that delays and cancellations remain likely.
Passengers planning travel in Italy or across Europe this holiday season should check flight schedules frequently and be prepared for disruptions caused by labor action.
