Europe Reels Under Travel Chaos As Strikes Disrupt Flights And Trains

Europe’s strikes in the upcoming months might disrupt your travel plans. Operators and other employees are withholding labour for better working conditions and pay. While some strikes are planned, giving travellers time to reroute or replan their journeys, others are announced at the last minute, further adding to traveller woes.

However, travellers can minimise the impact of these strikes on their European travel plans across Italy, France, Scotland and Spain by staying informed, monitoring news and updates from airlines, train operators, and travel agencies, and planning ahead. While flexible travel dates and alternative routes are recommended, travellers should ensure their travel insurance covers strike-related disruptions. This guide on EU flight delay compensation rules will help you understand how to claim refunds and more.

Key details of Europe’s upcoming strikes

Across Italy, airline, train, and public transport services are set to be disrupted on December 13, 2024, due to a planned 24-hour general strike. The strike is being organised by Union USB (Unione Sindacale di Base) to protest the government’s economic policies. Furthermore, delays and cancellations might disrupt ferry services to Sardinia and Sicily and motorway toll booth operations, impacting European travel plans.

On December 15, 2024, major airports in Italy will also witness a 24-hour strike by TechnoSky air navigation service staff and a shorter strike by air traffic controllers. On January 10, 2025, a four-hour national public transport strike by the FAISA-CONFAIL union is expected to lead to travel delays and cancellations. On January 12, 2025, train services in Florence’s metropolitan regions are expected to experience delays and cancellations, including long-distance rail services. Tram delays and cancellations are expected in Florence on January 25, 2025, due to a 24-hour protest by the Gest tram operators. Check out the Gest timetable here.

Strikes in Europe are also expected to disrupt travel in France. Several planned train strikes will affect travellers from December 11, 2024, to possibly December 25. Although the dates for the end of the strike have not been announced yet, the strikes are expected to impact high-speed TGV, international routes, and regional TER services. EasyJet’s French staff have also filed an indefinite strike notice scheduled for December 16, 2024.

In Scotland, international and domestic flights might be disrupted from 5 am on December 18, 2024, until 6 January 2025. Additionally, Finnair flights across Europe are expected to be affected on December 13, 2024, due to a strike called by the Finnish Air Line Pilots Association. The Confederación General del Trabajo (CGT) union organised a nationwide strike to disrupt local and long-distance bus services in Spain.

(Feature image credit: PickPik)

Related: This Is One Of The Most Scenic Train Rides In Europe — Here’s What It’s Like On Board

Note:
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.

Written By