The festive season is a peak time for travel across Europe but a number of strikes are planned in the coming weeks that could throw plans into chaos — here’s what you need to know
Holidaymakers planning to travel across Europe this Christmas and New Year could face a wave of strikes disrupting their plans.
Given the strong protection for the right to strike in Europe, protests are a common occurrence, whether they’re announced months ahead or at the last minute. So, it’s wise to check for any disruptions before you set off this festive season.
Here’s a rundown of cities where travel strikes are planned.
A 24-hour general strike affecting all airline, rail and public transport services is scheduled for December 13. Ferry services to Sicily and Sardinia, as well as motorway toll booth services, may also experience delays and cancellations.
The industrial action is a protest against government economic policies that union leaders claim have dramatically worsened working conditions and increased social inequalities. Deputy premier and transport minister Matteo Salvini has appealed for the strike to be shortened to four hours.
In a post on X [formerly Twitter], he argued that “the rights of workers, citizens, students and people undergoing [medical] treatment must also be respected, especially in a critical time such as the pre-Christmas period”, adding that “common sense is needed”. However, the USB union has stated that it will ignore Salvini’s request and that the strike will proceed as planned, reports the Express.
Commuters in Italy’s cities are bracing for delays and cancellations as a four-hour national public transport strike is set to take place on January 10, called by the FAISA-CONFAIL union. Adding to the woes, staff at Gest, who operate Florence’s trams, are planning a 24-hour protest on January 25.
Over in France, train travellers and port users face potential disruption over the festive period due to an ongoing strike that began on December 11, with no end date in sight. French easyJet workers have also filed an indefinite strike notice in response to the company’s plan to close its Toulouse hub.
The strikes, which started in September, are scheduled to continue until December 16, with further action potentially affecting easyJet operations nationwide in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, in Scotland, fuel tank workers for North Air based at Edinburgh Airport are threatening a near three-week walkout over a pay dispute.
The Unite union has announced the walk-out will begin at 5am on December 18, a week before Christmas, and end at the same time on January 6. This 19-day stretch includes the busiest days of winter at the capital’s busiest airport, causing potential disruption for those planning to travel over the festive period.
Elsewhere in Europe, Finnair flights have been cancelled.
Finnair has been forced to cancel 300 flights on December 9 and December 13, impacting approximately 33,000 passengers. This comes as a result of a strike called by the Finnish Air Line Pilots Association.
The airline has also issued a warning that this may affect flights scheduled for the days surrounding the strike.