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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.
Nationwide airport strikes in Italy
On Thursday February 26, severe disruption is expected to affect air transport in Italy. A 24-hour walkout by staff – including pilots, flight attendants, and ground staff – of flagship airline ITA Airways was originally planned for Monday February 16 to coincide with the Milan Winter Olympics, but it was blocked by Italy’s deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini who described the games as an ‘event of global importance’.
Now, the walkout has been rescheduled, and flights across Italy’s major hubs such as Milan Malpensa, Milan Linate, Rome Fiumicino, Venice Marco Polo and Verona Valerio Catullo Airport, will be hit on the new date.
Italian law states that there are time slots (between 7-10am and 6-9pm) within which services must operate, but according to euronews, 70 percent of the 314 flights scheduled for that day are outside those hours.
Vueling Airlines flight attendants were also expected to walk out on the same day, as are airport handling ground staff at Linate and Malpensa, and it’s thought these will also now go ahead on February 26. Thousands of passengers are expected to have their journeys impacted by the action, so check your flight’s status directly with your airline.
What’s more, industrial action could also be carried out on March 7 by aviation workers, which could disrupt travel for the Paralympics — stay tuned for updates on this walkout, too.
Strikes at Brussels Airport in March
Severe disruption is expected at Brussels Airport on March 12 when some of Belgium’s largest trade unions, including FGBT/ABVV, CSC/ACV, and CGSLB/ACLVB stage a nationwide strike.
It’s thought that, because of likely participation by security screeners, baggage handlers and air traffic controllers in the walkout, Brussels Airport will cancel all departing flights that day. Usually, the airport sees between 165 and 250 flights take off on a regular day.
Passengers are being advised to rebook their flights for a different date, or contact their travel provider directly to see what can be done. Air Canada has reportedly announced a flexible rebooking policy for affected customers.
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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