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

In Paris, Tourists Increasingly Choose Cycling To Explore The City

On Paris's streets, bicycles are increasingly common, and tourists play a big part. Guided bike tours have boomed in rec... Read more

These Are Europes Best-value Cities For A Weekend Break - And Poland Dominates The Top Five

A new study has revealed the best-value European cities for a weekend away, with Polish destinations sweeping the top fi... Read more

Byway Launches Free Online Course To Help You Plan Out A Rail Trip Across Europe

The course covers things like how to choose the right Interrail pass and how to manage disruptions. Read more

Eurovision 2027: A Guide To Burgas, Bulgarias Sunny Seaside Host City

Burgas has been announced as the unexpected host of next year’s Eurovision. Here’s everything you need to know ahead... Read more

This Boutique Hotel In Lisbon Has An In-house Library, Rooftop Sunset Sessions And A Pillow Menu

Villa Dorothéa is designed as a private micro-neighbourhood within Lapa, threaded through with passageways that give it... Read more

Missed The Eclipse? Heres Where To Travel To See 2027s Eclipse Of The Century

Gibraltar, Marbella and Lampedusa all lie in the path of totality for the eclipse on 2 August, 2027. Read more