Airport strikes in Europe: confirmed and planned dates
See which European airports face strikes, the confirmed and planned dates across Italy, France and Norway, and what you can claim if your flight is disrupted.
Strikes are one of the biggest causes of summer flight disruption in Europe, and they rarely give much warning. This page tracks confirmed and planned airport, ground-handling and air traffic control strikes across Italy, France, Norway and Finland, drawn only from official sources: national strike registries, civil aviation authorities, airport operators and the unions involved. We update it as soon as a strike is announced, changed or called off, so you can check before you travel and know what you are entitled to if your flight is affected.
If your flight was cancelled or delayed by three hours or more, you may be owed up to €600 under EU261 (or up to £520 under UK261), depending on who is striking and why.
Upcoming strikes affecting European airports (as of 19 June 2026):
- 24 June, Norway: SAS cabin crew could strike from 24 June if mediation fails on 22–23 June (Oslo routes at risk).
- 24 June, Italy: Lamezia Terme ground-handling stoppage, 12:00–16:00.
- 4 July, Norway: aircraft technicians could strike if mediation with NHO Luftfart fails on 3–4 July, reducing maintenance capacity.
- 5 July, Italy: the summer's biggest risk day, with ENAV air traffic control at Milan Malpensa plus national ground-handling and Rome airport security strikes.
- 21 July, Italy: Milan Malpensa ground-handling strike, 24 hours.
No air traffic control strike is announced in France for this period, and Finland's aviation sector is under a peace obligation. Both are monitored daily.
How strikes affect your flight, by country
Italy. Italy runs a published strike calendar, and one-day national transport strikes are frequent, often on Fridays or around public holidays. Most legal strikes have protected windows (typically early morning and early evening) when a minimum service must run, but flights outside those hours are routinely cancelled. Always check the official guaranteed-flights list for the strike day.
France. French disruption comes in two forms. Air traffic control strikes are the most damaging: when controllers walk out, the civil aviation authority orders airlines to cut their schedules, often by half or more, and the cancellations ripple across the whole of Europe, not just French airports. Airport ground strikes (handlers, security, retail) hit baggage, boarding and turnaround at the affected airports but usually leave runways open.
Norway. Norwegian airport strikes almost always depend on mediation. A legal strike can only begin once wage talks formally break down, so the national mediator's verdict is the moment to watch. The current risk is an SAS cabin crew strike from 24 June if the 22–23 June talks fail.
Finland. Finnish disruption centres on ground services at Helsinki and other Finavia airports, driven by the aviation union. These actions are usually announced in advance through union bulletins.
Pan-European air traffic control. A single national ATC strike, French in particular, can delay or cancel flights that never even touch that country, because they cross its airspace. If a strike is ATC-related, expect knock-on delays well beyond the striking country.
Your rights when a strike disrupts your flight
What you can claim depends on who is striking:
- The airline's own staff strike (for example, the airline's cabin crew or pilots). Courts have treated this as within the airline's control, so on top of a refund or rerouting you may be entitled to cash compensation of up to €600 (EU261) or £520 (UK261) for a cancellation or a delay of three hours or more.
- Air traffic control, airport, or third-party staff strike. This is usually treated as an "extraordinary circumstance" outside the airline's control, so cash compensation normally does not apply. You are still entitled to care (meals, refreshments and, if needed, accommodation) and to a refund or rerouting if your flight is cancelled.
In every case the airline must offer you a refund or an alternative flight, and look after you while you wait. Keep your boarding pass, any cancellation notice and receipts for expenses.
Not sure if your strike-hit flight qualifies? It only takes a moment to check.Check your compensation
FAQ
Is there an airport strike in Europe today?
Check the tracker above, it lists every confirmed and planned strike we are aware of, with the date and airports affected, and shows when it was last updated. If today's date matches a strike listed as confirmed, disruption is likely at those airports.
Which airports are affected by the strike?
Each entry in the tracker names the specific airports or states when a strike is nationwide. National strikes in Italy can affect every airport at once; French ATC strikes can disrupt flights across Europe even if they do not land in France.
Do I get compensation if a strike cancels my flight?
If the airline's own staff are striking, you may be owed up to €600 (EU261) or £520 (UK261) on top of a refund or rerouting. If it is an air traffic control or airport-staff strike, cash compensation usually does not apply, but you are still entitled to care and to a refund or an alternative flight.
Can I claim if an air traffic control strike delays my flight?
ATC strikes are normally treated as extraordinary circumstances, so cash compensation usually is not payable. You remain entitled to assistance during the wait and to a refund or rerouting if the flight is cancelled.
What should I do if my flight is cancelled because of a strike?
Ask the airline for a refund or an alternative flight straight away, keep all documentation (boarding pass, cancellation notice, receipts), and check whether you qualify for compensation based on who was striking.
