Airport and airline workers across Europe are walking out during the busiest weeks of the year, demanding better pay and working conditions. Unions have criticized employers for what they call “Grinch-style” behavior, taking advantage of staff goodwill during the costly Christmas season. These strikes highlight growing frustration among frontline workers who feel underpaid and overworked, especially during peak holiday travel.
Travelers heading home for Christmas or planning a winter holiday now face the risk of disruption. Strikes can appear months in advance or pop up at the last minute, sometimes just hours before they begin. That unpredictability has turned the festive season into a stressful period for passengers, who must constantly check schedules, prepare for delays, and understand their rights to refunds or compensation.
With less than a week until Christmas, travelers should remain vigilant. Airlines and rail companies are updating passengers daily, and authorities across Europe are issuing lists of protected flights and services. Being informed ahead of time can make the difference between a smooth journey and a day lost to queues and cancellations.
Italy Prepares for Widespread Airport Walkouts
On 17 December, airport staff across Italy will stage a coordinated strike, affecting multiple airlines and airports. Ground handlers, airline crews, and air traffic controllers will all participate, creating potential delays throughout the day. ENAV staff at Rome airport, responsible for air traffic control, will walk out, alongside Assohandlers employees supporting major carriers like Ryanair, Wizz Air, and easyJet.
Workers at Italy’s national carrier, ITA Airways, will also join the action, along with Vueling staff and ground crews for Air France and KLM. The official strike window runs from 1 pm to 5 pm, but disruption is expected to spill over beyond those hours. Check-in queues may lengthen, baggage handling could slow, and flights may be delayed or canceled. Major airports in Milan, Rome, Venice, Naples, and Catania are likely to see the most impact. ENAC, Italy’s civil aviation authority, has released a list of guaranteed flights to help passengers plan.
UK and Spanish Airports Brace for Holiday Chaos
In the UK, easyJet ground staff at London Luton Airport will walk out from 19 to 22 December and again from 26 to 29 December. Passengers can expect longer waits at check-in and baggage areas during those periods. London Heathrow will also experience disruption as Scandinavian Airlines Services cabin crew strike from 22 to 24 December and again on 26 December. Flights to hubs like Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Oslo are likely to face cancellations.
Unite, the union representing many of the affected workers, says poor pay has forced some staff to rely on food banks while traveling to expensive destinations. Unite’s regional officer, Callum Rochford, called SAS’s treatment of staff “Grinch-style,” blaming the airline for the inevitable canceled Christmas flights.
Spain has experienced ongoing disruptions since the summer, as Ryanair’s ground handling partner, Azul Handling, stages weekly walkouts. Staff are protesting low pay, lack of bonuses, and concerns about job security. Until 31 December, strikes will occur on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays during early mornings, afternoons, and late evenings. Passengers at airports including Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga, Palma, Alicante, Ibiza, Tenerife South, Seville, and Valencia should expect delays with check-in and baggage services.
Further Strikes Loom in Italy for the New Year
Italy is already planning additional strikes in January. On 9 January, CUB Transporti has called a nationwide four-hour walkout for ground staff at airports across the country. Swissport Italia staff at Milan Linate Airport will also strike that day, with a full 24-hour action expected.
Later in January, ENAV air traffic control staff at Verona airport are set to strike on 31 January. These actions could affect flights throughout the day, potentially causing delays or cancellations for travelers. ENAC has published updated lists of guaranteed flights, allowing passengers to plan around the disruption where possible.
These strikes highlight the growing tension between airline and airport employees and their employers. For travelers, being informed, checking schedules, and understanding compensation rights remain essential to navigating the busy holiday season.
