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UK and EU Airport and Airline Strikes to Check Before Christmas and January Travel
Travel-sector strikes have become a familiar part of the holiday season in the UK and across Europe. Some strikes are planned months in advance, while others are announced days or even hours before departure.
Here are the most recent, confirmed airport and airline strikes currently planned in the UK and EU.
United Kingdom Disruption Risk at London Airports
If you are flying from London over the Christmas period, allow extra time and expect slower airport services, even if your flight is still operating.
At London Luton Airport, 200 easyJet check-in and baggage handling staff have announced strike action on 26 to 29 December. Ground staff strikes typically affect check-in, baggage handling and aircraft turnaround times, which can lead to long queues, delayed or mishandled baggage and missed flight connections.
London Heathrow is also preparing for disruption. Cabin crew working for Scandinavian Airlines Services (SAS) have planned walkouts on 23, 24 and 26 December, which may affect flights to and from Scandinavian hubs such as Copenhagen, Stockholm and Oslo.
Spain: Ongoing Baggage and Ground Handling Strikes
Spain continues to see rolling strike action affecting airport ground services, particularly for Ryanair passengers.
Staff working for Azul Handling, Ryanair’s ground handling partner in Spain, have been staging repeated walkouts over pay and working conditions. According to EuroNews, the strikes will continue through 31 December on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays between 5-9 am, 12-3 pm and 9 pm to midnight.
You may face longer queues at check-in, delays collecting your luggage, or knock-on delays if you’re flying from or to the following airports:
- Madrid,
- Barcelona,
- Malaga,
- Alicante,
- Palma de Mallorca,
- Ibiza,
- Tenerife South, and
- Valencia
At Madrid-Barajas, additional ground handling strikes on selected dates in late December and early January are expected to mainly affect airlines in the IAG group, including Iberia and British Airways flights.
If you booked your trip through a travel agency, check with the airline as well as your agent because rebooking options may differ.
Italy: Airport and Air Traffic Control Disruptions Expected in January
Italy is known for short but impactful strike action, and January is shaping up to be no exception.
A nationwide, 4-hour ground staff strike has been called for 9 January from 1-5 pm. Even limited walkouts like this can trigger all-day disruptions, especially when airports are operating at full capacity as they usually are during the winter holidays..
Also on 9 January, ground handling staff at Milan Linate Airport are planning a 24-hour walkout, which will likely increase the risk of delays and cancellations on domestic and European routes.
On 31 January, flights to and from Verona Airport may also be affected by air traffic control strike action.
Italian authorities typically publish lists of protected or guaranteed flights during strike periods, but passengers should still be prepared for last-minute changes.
EU Border Changes May Cause Delays
The EU started rolling out its new Entry/Exit System (EES) in October, and it is already catching out holiday travellers at some European airports.
The system adds an extra step at border control for non-EU travellers, including UK passport holders. Even though it currently applies to only a small share of passengers, it has already led to noticeable delays at busy airports during peak travel periods.
Which Airports are the Most Affected?
According to Airport Council International (ACI) Europe, the longest queues are being reported at airports in France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Portugal and Spain. These are popular winter sun and Christmas travel destinations, which means delays are more likely when airports are at their busiest.
At airports where EES is already live, visa-free passengers from the UK and other non-EU countries must register their biometric details at dedicated kiosks before entering the Schengen area. For many passengers still new to the system, the registration process has already resulted in queues of up to 3 hours at border control.
If you are travelling during the Christmas holidays or into the New Year, it is a good idea to arrive earlier than usual, avoid tight connections, and factor in extra time for passport control, even if your flight itself is running on schedule.
What to Do if You’re Affected by a Strike
No matter who goes on strike, if your flight is cancelled or if your departure is delayed for 5+ hours, you are always entitled to a refund or rebooking.
If your flight is cancelled, the airline must offer you:
- Rebooking on the next available flight, or
- A rebooking on a later date that suits you, subject to availability, or
- A full ticket refund
What Airlines Owe You
Airlines have a duty to provide basic care during long delays, even when they’re caused by a strike. This means that if you are delayed at the airport for a minimum of 2 hours, you’re entitled to food, refreshment, hotel accommodation where needed, and transport between the airport and hotel.
Compensation depends on who caused the strike
Compensation is also a possibility, but it ultimately depends on the source of the strike and whether the airline did everything in its power to avoid delays.
Usually, 3rd party strikes by airport staff and air traffic control are not eligible for financial compensation, but airline employee strikes are typically seen as a controllable situation. This means that affected passengers could claim up to £520 for flights that are:
- Cancelled at the last minute, or
- Arrive 3 or more hours late at the final destination
This is why it is worth checking your individual flight rather than assuming you are not entitled to anything.
During peak travel periods, strikes often cause disruption without full cancellations. Passengers are often affected by slow check-in, baggage backlogs or missed connections. The key is preparation: monitor your airline closely, arrive earlier than usual, and keep receipts if you have to pay out of pocket. Even when compensation is not guaranteed, rebooking, refunds and care rights often still apply. – Anton Radchenko, Esq., Aviation Lawyer
Check to see if your flight is delayed or cancelled today, and find out how much (if any) compensation is owed by entering your flight details in AirAdvisor’s flight checker.
Author:
Joanna Teljeur
Job/Position: Senior Editor & Content Lead
Joanna Teljeur is a senior editor and writer with 15+ years of experience in editorial leadership, journalism, and content development, specialising in consumer rights, aviation law, and public-interest reporting. Her work focuses on transforming complex regulatory and legal topics into clear, accurate, and accessible content for international audiences.
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