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 and pandemic-era pay cuts, 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, obvs, 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.
France airport workers strikes
Four major airport workers unions (CGT, CFDT, FO and UNSA) announced industrial action at Paris’s two major airports, Roissy-Charles de Gaulle and Orly, for Wednesday July 17, just 10 days before the kick-off of the Olympic Games. However, on Tuesday July 16, workers reached a deal on pay, and the industrial action has since been called off.
Security staff strikes at Gatwick Airport
In a bid to secure ‘a fair day’s pay’, security staff were planning strikes on July 12, 13, 14, 19, 20 and 21, but now that a new pay deal is being voted on by union members, the strike has been postponed, potentially until later in the summer holidays. Read our full guide to the Gatwick strikes here.
Airport staff strikes in Italy
On July 5, unionised staff at airports across Italy staged a walkout, but the industrial action is set to continue with a new strike date of July 21, meaning disruption is likely at Milan Linate and Bergamo Orio al Serio airports between 1-5pm.
What happens if your airline goes on strike?
If the staff on strike 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 carriage of your airline, as well as the extent of your travel insurance. These should both be easily accessed on either your airline or insurer’s website.
However, 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.
ICYMI: This airport just took the crown from Singapore as the world’s best.