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 08/12/2023 - 11:58

Comments

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: Warning strikes by train drivers

Train drivers in Germany have sprung another 'warning strike' on the country's public transport from 7-8 December. It will last until 10pm on Friday, 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 months. 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.

Deutsche Bahn have called for a three-week 'peace agreement' over the Christmas period. GDL has now said that they will not strike again before 7 January 2024.

UK: Northern Ireland public transport strike

Unionised public transport workers are set to strike across Northern Ireland from 15-16 December. The 48-hour strike had been called in protest over a proposed pay freeze.

It walkout will mean delays and cancellations on trains and buses throughout the country.