Airport and airline staff across Europe are preparing to walk out in protest over low pay and poor working conditions, just as the holiday travel rush begins. Unions have described employer actions as “Grinch-style,” targeting staff at one of the most expensive and stressful times of the year.
This year, travelers heading home for Christmas or planning winter holidays may face more delays and cancellations than usual. Strikes have become a familiar feature of the festive season, as workers deliberately choose the busiest weeks to press for better pay and fairer treatment. Some actions are scheduled months in advance, while others appear at the last minute, leaving travelers scrambling to adjust their plans. Anyone traveling this December should double-check schedules and plan for possible disruptions.
Passengers affected by canceled or delayed flights and trains may be entitled to compensation or replacement tickets, depending on the airline or rail operator. Understanding your rights before you travel can help reduce stress if plans are suddenly changed.
Italy Prepares for Coordinated Airport Strikes
On 17 December, airport staff across Italy will stage a coordinated walkout. The strike will involve air traffic controllers, airline crews, and ground handling staff, with major disruptions expected at some of the country’s busiest airports.
ENAV staff, who manage air traffic at Rome airport, will take part in the strike, alongside Assohandlers employees who provide ground services at airports serving Ryanair, Wizz Air, and easyJet. Staff at ITA Airways, Italy’s national carrier, as well as Vueling, Air France, and KLM ground crews, will also walk out.
The strike officially lasts from 1 pm to 5 pm, but passengers may experience delays and longer queues throughout the day. Airports in Milan, Rome, Venice, Naples, and Catania are expected to see the heaviest disruption. Italy’s civil aviation authority, ENAC, has published a list of guaranteed flights, which travelers should consult before leaving for the airport.
UK and Spain Brace for Holiday Chaos
In the UK, easyJet ground staff at London Luton Airport will strike from 19 to 22 December, and again from 26 to 29 December. Check-in and baggage handling may be slower, causing delays for many passengers.
London Heathrow Airport also faces disruption, with Scandinavian Airlines Services (SAS) cabin crew planning walkouts from 22 to 24 December and again on 26 December. Flights to hubs like Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Oslo are most at risk of delays or cancellations. Unite union members report that low pay has forced some workers to rely on food banks, with unions calling the airline’s behavior “Grinch-style.”
Meanwhile in Spain, baggage handlers working for Azul Handling, a Ryanair partner, have been striking weekly since summer. Workers are protesting poor pay, inconsistent bonuses, and job insecurity. Until 31 December, strikes will continue on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, often during early mornings, afternoons, and late evenings. Passengers at airports including Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga, Palma, Alicante, Ibiza, Tenerife South, Seville, and Valencia should expect longer queues and delays with check-in and luggage collection.
More Italian Strikes Are Coming in the New Year
After the December walkouts, Italy will see additional airport strikes in January. On 9 January, CUB Transporti, representing ground staff, has called a nationwide four-hour strike from 1 pm to 5 pm, potentially causing flight delays or cancellations.
Swissport Italia staff at Milan Linate Airport also plan a 24-hour walkout on the same day. Later in the month, ENAV air traffic controllers at Verona airport are set to strike on 31 January. ENAC has once again published a list of guaranteed flights for travelers, highlighting which journeys are protected from disruption.
Holiday travelers across Europe should prepare for uncertainty, allowing extra time at airports, checking schedules frequently, and reviewing their rights in case strikes affect their plans.
