Europe's Travel Strikes: Flight And Train Disruption You Can Expect In August And September

Our travel guide is updated as soon as a new European strike is announced.

ADVERTISEMENT

Strikes are a regular occurrence in Europe, as employees withhold their labour to fight for better pay and conditions.

Walkouts are sometimes planned months ahead but others are announced last minute, 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.

Italy: No strikes allowed during peak summer season

Italy's transport sector is forbidden from going on strike between 27 July and 5 September, when most Italians take their holidays, meaning disruption at the height of the summer is unlikely.

Alicante airport: Security staff strike

A five-day strike at Alicante airport involving security staff will lead to congestion, British holiday company Jet2 has warned.

The industrial action is taking place from 1-4 August.

The airport serving the Costa Blanca will be affected between 8.30am-9.30am and 6pm-7pm local time.

Jet2 said in an advisory posted on its website: “The strike is supported by security services at the airport and will affect congestion at security control."

Scotland trains could be hit by strikes

Trains in Scotland could be delayed or cancelled if proposed strikes go ahead.

ScotRail's 1,300 drivers are going to vote on whether to go on strike or take other action. They are in a pay dispute with union Aslef.

ScotRail runs trains between big tourist destinations like Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness.

Dates for the potential strikes have not been announced but they could affect the Edinburgh Fringe Festival which happens in August.

France: Motorway strikes hit summer holidays

Workers on France's Autoroutes du Sud (ASF) and Vinci motorways have begun a summer of strikes in protest over falling staff numbers.

ADVERTISEMENT

Weekend walkouts earlier this month hit holidaymakers heading out on their first trips of the summer break.

It is not yet clear whether further strike action will take place in the coming weeks.

Paris airport workers call off strike in July

Paris airports were threatened by strike action ahead of the Olympic Games, with unions calling a walkout on 17 July - just 10 days before the sporting event begins.

However, the strike was called off at the last minute on Tuesday after workers reached a deal on pay. They were calling for bonuses offered to some personnel to be applied across the board.

ADVERTISEMENT

Flights at both Roissy-Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports will now be running as normal.

Could strikes hit the Paris Olympics?

CGT-RATP union members announced a seven-month strike notice from 5 February to 9 September that could hit the Ile-de-France bus and metro network - including during this summer's Olympic Games.

However, the French Senate adopted a bill on 9 April to allow the state to ban transport strikes for set periods each year to avoid disruption during major events like Paris 2024. It also calls for more advance warning of strikes and increased minimum service obligations.

The bill faces opposition and must be adopted by the French National Assembly before it becomes law.

ADVERTISEMENT

Workers at the state-owned public transport company say they are walking out over pay.

Netherlands: Public transport strikes planned in September

A public transport strike has been announced in the Netherlands' biggest cities on 12 September, with more walk outs possible.

It comes ahead of the Cabinet's budget proposal, which workers hope will include plans to allow those in physically demanding jobs to retire earlier.

Services in Amsterdam, The Hague and Rotterdam will be impacted.

ADVERTISEMENT

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

World's Longest Non-stop Flight Set For 2027 Take-off As Qantas Confirms Sydney-London Route

Qantas’s long-awaited ‘Project Sunrise’ will see the world's longest non-stop passenger flight cover more than 16,... Read more

Inside The Ultra-luxe Swiss Mountainside Retreat Where Iran And The US Are Set To Meet

Initial negotiations between the US and Iran on the final agreement are set to take place at the Bürgenstock Resort Lak... Read more

Waldorf Astoria To Open In London's Iconic Admiralty Arch In Autumn 2026 - In Pictures

Located on The Mall, the restored Grade I-listed landmark has been transformed into a luxury hotel with 114 rooms and su... Read more

Discover Lisbon Like A Local With Our Guide: Seven Insider Tips For Its Seven Hills

Venture off the beaten track and out of your comfort zone, dodge the crowds and, above all, steer clear of tourist traps... Read more

The Worlds Best Skylines Have Just Been Named – And None Of The Top 10 Are In Europe

Asia dominated the list, with eight spots making the top 10 across China, Malaysia and Japan. Read more

These Luxury European Hotels Have Been Included In A New Hall Of Fame List

From Paris and Monte Carlo to Lake Como and St Moritz, nine of Europe's most iconic luxury hotels have earned places in ... Read more