Europe's Summer Travel Strikes: When, Where And What Disruption You Can Expect In August

Workers across Europe are walking out to protest low pay and poor working conditions.

Europe is a hive of strike action right now, with many employees unhappy that sky-high inflation has not been matched by higher wages.

ADVERTISEMENT

Walkouts are planned all over Europe, showing that it always pays to check before you travel.

Luckily, we have gathered all of the strike information together below.

Read on to find out where and when are walkouts taking place.

If your flight or train is cancelled or delayed, you will be entitled to a new ticket or compensation. Read our guide for the full details.

Europe: Air traffic controllers to vote over a potential deal

Union Syndicale Bruxelles (USB), a union which represents EU civil servants, has reached a deal in principle with Eurocontrol to prevent weeks of strikes this summer. 

The offer has been put to a vote by union members and USB is hoping for a "positive outcome to the vote" after which the 'pre-warning' for industrial action will be withdrawn. 

Staff at Eurocontrol, which manages Europe's skies, threatened industrial action that could begin with just five days' notice at any point over the next six months. 

The staff involved work at Eurocontrol's network management centre. This location plays a vital role in ensuring the efficiency of air traffic control across the continent. It validates aircraft's flight plans and checks tens of thousands of messages per day. 

USB says that it has threatened strikes due to a row over a 25 per cent shortage in staff, management behaviour and an imposed roster system. 

France: Travellers warned about ongoing French protests

Unions across France have been in an ongoing battle against an increase in the legal retirement age from 62 to 64.

Protests broke out across the country after President Emmanuel Macron decided to push through the change without a parliamentary vote. Strikes have been ongoing since January and have heavily impacted travel. 

ADVERTISEMENT

While the pace of industrial action has slowed down, air traffic controller strikes are still having an impact with budget airline Ryanair having to cancel 900 flights in June. 

Delays and limited flights over the country are also causing more airspace congestion across Europe, leading to further disruption. 

Paris transport strikes threatened over Rugby World Cup

Paris Metro workers have threatened strike action during the Rugby World Cup, which runs from 8 September to 28 October at Stade de France, Saint-Denis.

While train drivers will receive a bonus in recognition of the additional services they must run during the event, station staff have not been offered additional pay.

Members of trade union FO-RATP, which represents public transport workers in Paris, have threatened to walk out over the issue. Negotiations are currently ongoing.

ADVERTISEMENT

England: Summer rail and airport strikes

Security staff have called off strikes at London Heathrow Airport after voting to accept a pay offer. 

More than 2,000 staff were due to strike for 31 days this summer. The industrial action would have coincided with the beginning of the school holidays and the August bank holiday in the UK. 

Passengers were worried that it could lead to a repeat of the chaos seen at airports last year. 

But now strikes have been called off, Heathrow has said it is looking forward to delivering an "excellent summer" for travellers. 

Strikes at Gatwick Airport cancelled

Strikes at Gatwick Airport have been cancelled after workers voted in favour of a "dramatically improved" pay offer, according to union Unite.

ADVERTISEMENT

Red Handling staff - responsible for ground handling for Norse Atlantic, Norwegian, Delta, TAP Air Portugal and Saudi - were due to walk out from25-28 August.

Passenger assistance workers with Wilson James have also cancelled strike action planned 22-24 August thanks to a new pay offer.

Neither strike is going ahead.

Wizz Air ground handlers call strikes at Luton Airport

Ground handling staff at Luton Airport have called three 24-hour strikes on 30 August, 6 September and 13 September. 

The strikes will cause "huge disruption" for Wizz Air passengers, according to union Unite.

Employees of the airline's ground handler, GH London, have called the strike in protest of poor working conditions and unfair treatment.

Birmingham Airport strikes called off

An "all out indefinite strike" by plane refuellers at Birmingham airport has been called off after Menzies Aviation employees accepted a pay deal.

Strike action was due to begin on 15 August. Last month, security guards and technicians also called off strikes after a deal was reached.

Rail strikes across the UK

The UK's biggest rail union, RMT, has announced fresh train strikes on Saturday26 Augustand Saturday 2 September.

It is part of ongoing industrial action by several rail trade unions called over pay, working conditions and job security.

Italy: Strikes across public transport and airports in July

Transport strikes aren't unusual in Italy during the summer. Industry regulations provide a summer exemption which means there will be no air transport strikes between 27 July and 5 September. 

For now, there is no other transport strike action planned in Italy but it is always worth checking before you travel. 

Spain: Airport security guards call off strike in Barcelona

Airport security staff at Barcelona-El Prat Airport have called off an indefinite strike that was due to start on 10 August. The walkout was averted after they reached an agreement on pay, gender equality and working conditions.

If you know of a big strike happening in your country that we have missed, we'd love to hear from you via Twitter.

RECENT NEWS

These Are The Best Airport Lounges In The World – And Four Are In Europe

The Plaza Premium Lounge at Rome Fiumicino Airport was named the best on the continent, and second best overall. Read more

80 Years And Still Steaming: A Milestone Year For The Worlds Last Seagoing Paddle Steamer

This October, the Waverley paddle steamer is marking its 80th anniversary with cruises along London’s iconic River Tha... Read more

Aman Set To Open First Hotel In The Maldives Complete With An Entire Island Dedicated To Wellness

Amanolu in the Vaavu Atoll will have just 52 keys as well as 16 private residences, which also have their own island. Read more

The Worlds Best Spas For 2026 Have Been Revealed – And Italy Leads The Way

Italy took centre stage at this year’s World Spa Awards after being named the world’s best spa destination. Italian ... Read more

Project Sunrise Update: Qantas To Launch Non-stop Flights Between Sydney And New York From 2028

Passengers will spend 18 hours in the air on the specially configured Airbus A350-1000ULR aircraft. Read more

AI And Ski To Cruises And Gen Z: Dnatas CEO On The Trends Driving Travel In The UAE And Beyond

From AI-powered travel offers to growing demand for ski holidays, cruises and food experiences, dnata’s new Group CEO ... Read more