Europe's travel strikes: Flight and train disruption you can expect over the Christmas period

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 10/10/2023 - 18:23•Updated 06/12/2023 - 12:13

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When, where and what disruption you can expect.

Strikes are a regular occurrence in Europe, as employees withhold their labour to fight for better pay and conditions.

Walkouts are sometimes planned months ahead but others are announced last minute, 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.

Spain: Security staff announce airport strike in Alicante

Private security staff at Alicante-Elche airport are striking over working conditions and pay.

Ilunion Seguridad employees will walk out on 6****-10, 12, 15-17, 19 and 22-31 December; and 1-14 January.

Strike action will take place for two hours each day, from 8.45-9.45am and from 6-7pm, affecting security controls and baggage handling.

Spanish airport handling worker strikes called off

Handling staff with the UGT union have cancelled strikes planned for 5 and 10 December. The walkouts would have caused disruption at 46 airports across the country operated by Spanish airport authority Aena.

They were called in protest over working conditions and job uncertainty in the sector.

Germany: Threat of train strikes over Christmas

Train drivers in Germany staged a 'warning strike' from on 15-16 November causing delays and cancellations on regional and long-distance transport.

The German Train Drivers’ Union (GDL) says further strikes are possible in Germany over the coming weeks. These are most likely to affect long distance trains.

The GDL is in a long running dispute with train operator Deutsche Bahn over pay and working conditions. It says the latest negotiations have failed.

Deutsche Bahn have called for a three-week 'peace agreement' over the Christmas period. This has now been rejected by the GDL, meaning train strikes over the busy holiday period are possible.