Summer Airport Strikes in Europe: Essential Information for Travelers

Following a wave of disruptive strikes across Europe this spring, including massive pension demonstrations in France, more walkouts are being scheduled in the coming days and weeks, potentially impacting the busy summer travel season.

Nick Careen, senior vice president of operations, safety, and security at the International Air Transport Association (IATA), highlighted in a May statement the need to monitor Europe closely, as previous strike actions caused significant travel disruptions. He urged governments to prepare contingency plans to ensure minimum service levels during strikes and minimize travel disruptions.

As international travel is projected to match or surpass pre-pandemic numbers this summer, IATA indicates that international flight bookings for the peak travel months from May to September are currently 29 percent higher than in 2022.

These ongoing strikes come amid rising fears that the influx of travelers this summer might once again overwhelm airlines and airports, possibly leading to a repeat of the travel chaos witnessed in summer 2022, including flight cancellations, delays, and lost luggage.

"Despite some anticipated disruptions, it is expected that the ramp-up challenges faced at major hub airports in 2022 will have been addressed," Careen mentioned.

Here are the planned strikes across Europe that will impact travel and their scheduled dates.

Security personnel at London Heathrow Airport to strike for 29 days this summer

Unite the Union, which represents security staff at London Heathrow Airport (LHR), announced earlier this month that there will be 31 days of strikes at London’s primary international airport during the summer months, though the first two days of strikes, June 24 and 25, have already been canceled.

"After extensive discussions with the workers’ union Unite last week, HAL [Heathrow Airport Limited, which operates London Heathrow Airport] presented a better pay offer, leading the union to call off the initial strikes as a goodwill gesture," the union stated in a release.

The security officers' union declared this action as part of what it termed "a significant escalation in its conflict with Heathrow Airport Limited regarding inadequate pay."

"For the first time, security officers at Terminal Three, who voted for strike action last week, will join their colleagues from Terminal Five and campus security on the picket line. Campus security is tasked with screening all personnel and vehicles entering the airside area," the union stated.

"Should the latest offer be turned down by members, the remaining 29 days of strike action planned throughout the summer, starting before the end of this month, will proceed as scheduled," the union announced.

If the strikes occur, over 2,000 security officers are anticipated to take part, and "delays, disruptions, and cancellations [at London Heathrow] will be unavoidable as a consequence," warned Unite's regional coordinating officer, Wayne King.

Here are the strike dates for London Heathrow security officers (many scheduled for weekends):

• June 28–30
• July 14–16
• July 21–24
• July 28–31
• August 4–7
• August 11–14
• August 18–20
• August 24–27

The security risk and crisis management firm Crisis24 warned that "if not avoided, the action could disrupt airport operations and flight schedules at LHR, potentially leading to delays and cancellations." The firm also noted that "airport authorities have indicated that contingency plans are in place, and flights should continue as usual."

In past security officer strikes, Heathrow has remained open and functional.

However, travelers should anticipate longer lines and wait times at the airport during the strikes.

Strikes by air traffic controllers and public transit workers in Italy

Italy’s air transport workers have staged multiple walkouts this year, notably on May 19 and June 4. During the May 19 strikes affecting the entire aviation sector, the national airline ITA Airways managed to operate nearly 70 percent of its flights while rebooking others.

Employees of Italy’s primary air traffic control provider, ENAV, are set to strike again on Monday, June 19, and Tuesday, June 20 (which coincides with a baggage handling strike), as well as on Saturday, July 15, according to Italian media reports.

Italy’s Faisa-Confail union, representing bus, tram, and subway workers, has also announced several strikes this year, as reported by the travel security and risk management firm Crisis24.

The upcoming public transit strike in Italy is scheduled to commence at midnight on Thursday, July 6, lasting until the early transport services on Friday, July 7. There will also be strikes from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and from 8 p.m. to midnight on July 7, with Euronews noting that minimum services will be available during those intervals. "All modes of transport, including trains, ferries, and metro services, are expected to experience delays and disruptions due to the strikes," the European news network reported.

Travelers during Italy’s public transit strikes should "prepare for delays, temporary service disruptions, and increased congestion on alternative transport options," advises Crisis24.

Strikes by air traffic controllers and public transit workers in France

Protests and strikes have been ongoing across France since the beginning of the year as citizens demonstrate against recent pension reforms. The latest protests occurred on June 6, when air traffic controllers joined the strike. Consequently, the French Civil Aviation Authority requested that airlines cut their flight schedules to and from Paris–Orly and several other airports in France during the strike period.

Despite the air traffic controller strikes, Air France continues to operate all long-haul flights and all flights to and from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, as well as around 70 percent of flights between Paris–Orly and other domestic airports. The airline usually offers passengers whose flights are canceled due to strike actions the option of receiving a future flight credit or a full refund, based on prior statements from Air France.

Air France has previously stated that during strike actions, "last-minute delays and cancellations cannot be excluded."

While no new air traffic controller strikes have been announced or scheduled, travelers should remain cautious and not dismiss the possibility of future actions.

Alongside air traffic controller strikes, national worker strikes occurring throughout the year as part of the broader pension reform demonstrations can impact public transport systems, including rail and subway services. The ongoing protests in France may also lead to traffic congestion and service disruptions in major cities, potentially causing delays in travel between downtown areas and the primary Paris airports, Charles de Gaulle and Orly.

Potential strikes affecting airports and public transit in Germany

Since last year, Germany has faced a series of intermittent strikes at its air travel hubs, consistently disrupting air services.

The most recent strike occurred at the end of April at Berlin Brandenburg Airport, where airport staff and personnel walked out, resulting in the cancellation of all passenger flight departures, as reported by the Associated Press. This was the third strike at the Berlin airport this year as workers seek improved wages.

Transportation workers in Germany have also been conducting walkouts, creating a climate of ongoing uncertainty for travelers moving through the country.

What can travelers do if their flight in Europe is delayed or canceled?

It’s essential to understand that while the European Union’s consumer protection regulation, known as Regulation EC No 261/2004, entitles passengers to compensation for canceled and delayed flights within, to, and from Europe, strikes are classified as “extraordinary circumstances” and do not obligate airlines to provide compensation.

Travelers planning a trip to Europe this summer may want to consider purchasing travel insurance that covers trip delays and disruptions—this coverage might already be part of your credit card benefits if you booked your trip using a travel credit card. It's also a good idea to explore adding Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) coverage to your travel insurance policy. While some insurance plans may not cover known events like scheduled strikes, CFAR coverage will. Having travel insurance can mitigate costs incurred from rebooking flights or hotel stays due to cancellations or delays.

Given the current environment of worker strikes in Europe, it’s crucial for travelers to stay informed by monitoring the news. This allows them to proactively adjust their flights if necessary or make arrangements for potential delays or disruptions. Airlines and airports generally update their websites with information regarding any strikes that could affect operations as soon as they are aware of them.

This article was initially published on June 8, 2023, and has been updated with the latest information.