It’s a tough time to be working in the aviation industry. Faced with staff shortages and huge levels of disruption, many workers at airlines and airports are facing long, stressful hours and poor working conditions. And, thanks to the cost of living crisis, loads of them are doing it all for lower wages, too.
Needless to say, it’s no wonder that so many staff at airports and airlines have been going on strike. From Italy and Belgium to Greece and France, airports across Europe have seen thousands of flights delayed and cancelled by industrial action.
Strikes can, of course, have a serious impact on your holiday, so it’s best to be as informed about them as possible. Read on for our guide to who’s going on strike in Europe right now, where and when those strikes will happen – and whether you need to worry about them.
Strikes by KLM ground staff in the Netherlands
It’s been announced by trade union FNV that strikes are expected from KLM ground staff at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport, form 8am-2pm on September 24 and from 6am-2pm on October 1.
More than 100 flights were cancelled due to a short strike last week, which are thought to have cost the airline €10 million, and the same is on the cards today, September 17. A spokesperson from KLM reportedly said that the strikes could seriously endanger the company’s future, but a union representative said management had left the ground workers no choice but to strike, according to NL Times.
Transport strikes in Italy
To protect holiday travel, strikes in Italy are banned from late July to early September, but now that window is over, unions have announced plans for industrial action which could affect travel at Milan’s Linate and Malpensa airports this weekend, according to euronews.
On September 26, baggage handlers, ground staff and Volotea airline crews are due to stop work for 24 hours at airports across Italy.
Airport strikes in Portugal
Portuguese ground staff in the Metallurgical and Related Industries Union (SIMA), including those managing baggage, check-ins, and airport servicing, are locked in an ongoing dispute with their employer Menzies Aviation. They’re asking for increased pay, compensation for night shifts and adherence to previously made labour agreements, and spent much of August on strike in protest.
Since they haven’t reached an agreement yet, SIMA workers will continue to strike periodically for the rest of 2025, or at least until the conflict is resolved.
- The next period of industrial action will be September 19-22, and 26-28.
- In October, staff will walk out on the following dates: October 3-6, 10-13, 17-20, 24-27, 31-November 3.
- In November, strikes are organised for November 7-10, 14-17, 21-24, 28-December 1.
- Then, finally, there is more action planned for December 5-8, 12-15, 19-January 2.
Disruptions are expected at several of the nation’s biggest airports including Lisbon, Porto, Faro, Madeira, and the Azores.
Air traffic controller strikes in France
Air traffic controllers in France are planning a strike in September. This comes after talks over pay between their union, SNCTA, and their employer, the nation’s Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC), have broken down.
The strike will last from September 18-19, and is expected to cause disruption to loads of flights, including some that aren’t even landing or taking off from France. Anyone whose route flies over French airspace could face delays. Your airline should inform you of any potential disruptions ahead of time.
Spain baggage handling strikes
Airports across Spain are set to be affected by strikes over labour rights by Azul Handling baggage staff. It’s part of the Ryanair Group and handles the bags for the majority of the operators’ flights. The affected times are as follows: from 5am-9am, on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays for the rest of 2025.
The affected airports, according to Which?, are: Alicante, Barcelona, Girona, Ibiza, Lanzarote, Madrid, Malaga, Palma de Mallorca, Santiago de Compostela, Seville, Tenerife South and Valencia.
Madrid security strikes
On top of ongoing industrial action from baggage handlers in Spain, security staff at Madrid-Barajas Airport have announced an ‘indefinite’ strike over the weekend.
Industrial action began on Sunday September 14, when staff members employed by Trablisa, a security company, downed tools over a pay dispute. The union says that the strike will be ‘indefinite and full-time’, only ending once a deal has been struck.
Queues at security have reportedly been up to 90 minutes long. The airport is advising all customers to arrive well in advance of their flights to account for delays.
What happens if your airline goes on strike?
If strikes cause your flight to be delayed or cancelled, the airline is usually obliged to help you and/or provide compensation. However, this often depends on the conditions of your airline – some airlines won’t cover strikes out of their control, such as airport or baggage handler strikes. Your compensation also depends on the extent of your travel insurance. These should both be easily accessed on either your airline or insurer’s website.
If you book your flight already knowing that a strike is set to take place (ie. it’s already been announced by the union), you are exceptionally unlikely to receive compensation. Before you book, be sure to check for any strike dates not just at your intended airline but also at departure and arrival airports.
Of course, it’s worth bearing in mind that the threat of a strike is exactly that: a threat. Strikes are primarily used as bargaining chips in negotiations between unions and employers, so there’s always the chance that both sides will come to an agreement before one actually takes place.
In any case, if your journey involves any of the above airlines, destinations and dates, be sure to keep an eye on your flight status and prepare for a more disrupted journey than expected.
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