Europe's travel strikes: Flight and train disruption you can expect in September and October

Passengers look at check-in times for flights during a nationwide strike of airports ground staff, and check-in services at Rome's Fiumicino Airport. - Copyright AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia

By Euronews Travel with Reuters

Published on 31/08/2023 - 14:00•Updated 26/09/2023 - 12:17

When, where and what disruption you can expect in September and October.

Europe is a hive of strike action right now, with many employees unhappy that sky-high inflation has not been matched by higher wages.

Walkouts are planned all over Europe, showing that it always pays to check before you travel.

Luckily, we have gathered all of the strike information together below.

Read on to find out where and when are walkouts taking place.

If your flight or train is cancelled or delayed, you will be entitled to a new ticket or compensation. Read our guide for the full details.

France: Paris transport strikes threatened over Rugby World Cup

Paris Metro workers have threatened strike action during the Rugby World Cup, which runs until 28 October at Stade de France, Saint-Denis.

While train drivers will receive a bonus in recognition of the additional services they must run during the event, station staff have not been offered additional pay.

Members of trade union FO-RATP, which represents public transport workers in Paris, have threatened to walk out over the issue. Negotiations are currently ongoing.

Meanwhile on 26 September, SNCF workers are staging a national strike that will run until 27 September at 8am. Widespread train disruption is expected.

Italy: Ground staff strikes in September

A strike by ground staff at airports around Italy on 16 September appears to have been called off. Passengers flying on this date are advised to contact their airline for confirmation.

However, a nationwide baggage handling strike is still planned for 29 September, which could cause delays for passengers.

Unions are calling for greater job security and pay increases amid soaring inflation.

It is still unclear how widespread the disruption will be but previous walkouts have led to disruption and flight cancellations.

Italy's civil aviation authority ENAC has reassured travellers that flights are guaranteed to go ahead during strikes from 7 am to 10 am and 6 pm to 9 pm. It will publish a list of guaranteed flights a few days before the strike.

Public transport strike in Italy

After unionised public transport workers in Italy went on nationwide strike on 18 September, a smaller public transport strike backed by only the USB union will also take place on 29 September, with less disruption expected.

It is advised to check your transport plans and allow extra time for possible delays on this day.

England: Baggage staff announce Heathrow strike

Baggage carousel workers at London's Heathrow Airport have announced that they will strike over 13 separate days in October.

The Heathrow strike dates will be from 6-9 October and 20-30 October. The second round of walkouts will impact the busy autumn half-term travel period.

Staff will walk out between 5:30 pm on 6 October and 6 am on 9 October, and 5:30 am on 20 October and 6 am on 30 October.

Members of the Unite union employed by Vanderlande Industries are walking out over below-inflation pay offers.

Next round of train driver strikes announced

Train drivers' union Aslef has announced its next round of strikes in its long dispute over pay, jobs and working conditions.

Drivers from 14 different English rail operators will walk out on 30 September and 4 October. There will also be an overtime ban on 29 September and from 2 to 6 October which could lead to further disruption.

Previous strikes by Aslef members have seen all services from the 14 companies - which include Avanti West Coast, LNER and the Gatwick Express - cancelled on the day of the strikes.

Services from other companies not involved in the industrial action are likely to run on time but could be more crowded than usual.

London tube strikes have also been called for 4 and 6 October, which is likely to cause major travel disruption in the capital.

Spain: Security staff announce airport strike in Alicante

Private security staff at Alicante-Elche airport have announced strikes later this month over working conditions and pay.

Ilunion Seguridad employees will carry out 'partial stoppages' from 8:45-9:45 am and 6-7 pm each day on 26, 29 and 30 September, affecting baggage checks.

Further strikes have been announced for 1, 3, 6-15, 17, 20-22, 24, 27-29 and 31 October; 1-5, 7, 10-12, 14, 17-19, 21, 24-26 and 28 November; 1-10, 12, 15-17, 19 and 22-31 December; and 1-14 January.

If you know of a big strike happening in your country that we have missed, we'd love to hear from you via Twitter.