Airport workers across Europe are staging walkouts to protest what unions describe as unfair and poorly paid working conditions.
Many employees accuse low-paying employers of behaving callously during the festive season, when travel demand reaches its peak.
Christmas and winter holidays now regularly coincide with strikes, as workers deliberately choose the busiest travel period to push for better pay and conditions. Some actions appear on schedules months in advance, while others emerge with little warning, sometimes only days or even hours before they begin. Travelers should always check their journey details before departure to avoid sudden disruptions.
With Christmas just around the corner, several train and airport strikes are planned across Europe this December. Passengers whose flights or trains face cancellations or long delays may qualify for rebooking or compensation, depending on the situation and local regulations.
Italy Braces for Widespread Airport Action
On 17 December, airport workers across Italy will take part in coordinated strike action.
The walkout will involve ground handling staff, airline crews, and air traffic controllers, creating the potential for nationwide disruption.
ENAV air traffic control staff at Rome airport will participate in the four-hour strike. Assohandlers employees, who provide ground services at major Italian airports, will also walk out. These workers support airlines such as Ryanair, Wizz Air, and easyJet. Staff from ITA Airways, Italy’s national carrier, Vueling, and ground crews serving Air France and KLM will join the action.
The strike will run from 1 pm to 5 pm, but passengers may feel the impact throughout the day. Delayed flights, longer queues at check-in desks, and baggage handling issues are all likely. Major airports in Milan, Rome, Venice, Naples, and Catania could experience disruption. Italy’s civil aviation authority, ENAC, has published a list of guaranteed flights for travelers.
UK and Spain Face Ongoing Festive Delays
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 could affect check-in services and baggage handling during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
London Heathrow Airport also expects Christmas disruption. Scandinavian Airlines Services cabin crew will strike from 22 to 24 December and again on 26 December. Flights to major hubs such as Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Oslo are likely to face delays or cancellations.
Unite union representatives say low pay has forced some workers to rely on food banks while traveling to expensive Scandinavian destinations. Unite regional officer Callum Rochford accused SAS of exploiting staff goodwill and said the company now bears responsibility for canceled Christmas flights.
In Spain, baggage handling strikes continue to affect Ryanair passengers. Azul Handling staff have staged regular walkouts since summer, demanding better working conditions, fair bonuses, and job stability. Until 31 December, workers will strike on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at multiple times throughout the day. Passengers may encounter longer queues and delays at airports including Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga, Palma de Mallorca, Valencia, and several popular holiday destinations.
Italy Set for Further Airport Strikes in January
Travel disruption in Italy will continue into the new year. On 9 January, the CUB Transporti union has called a four-hour nationwide strike involving ground staff at airports across the country. Flights may face delays or cancellations during the afternoon.
On the same day, Swissport Italia ground handling staff at Milan Linate Airport plan a 24-hour walkout. Later in the month, flights to and from Verona airport may also face disruption on 31 January, when ENAV air traffic control staff plan to strike. ENAC has released information on guaranteed flights to help passengers plan ahead.
