It’s a tough time to be working in the aviation industry. Faced with staff shortages and huge levels of disruption, many workers at airlines and airports are facing long, stressful hours and poor working conditions. And, thanks to the cost of living crisis, loads of them are doing it all for lower wages, too.
Needless to say, it’s no wonder that so many staff at airports and airlines have been going on strike. From Italy and Belgium to Greece and France, airports across Europe have seen thousands of flights delayed and cancelled by industrial action.
Strikes can, of course, have a serious impact on your holiday, so it’s best to be as informed about them as possible. Read on for our guide to who’s going on strike in Europe right now, where and when those strikes will happen – and whether you need to worry about them.
Airport strikes in Portugal
Over each weekend in August, aircraft servicing, baggage handling and check-in teams are staging industrial action to protest their low pay, unpaid night shifts and parking disputes following the takeover of Groundforce ops by a British-owned company Menzies Aviation.
Lisbon, Faro, Porto, Madeira, Porto Santo and the Azores could all be affected, and the UK FCDO has issued warnings for delays on the following dates: August 15-18, 22-25, and August 29-September 1.
The first weekend of disruption saw more than 70 flights scrapped at Lisbon airport, and long delays across everywhere affected, according to euronews.
Strikes at London Gatwick Airport
From August 22-26 and August 29-September 2, baggage screeners at this UK airport are set to strike over pay, and all passengers should expect at least some delays.
Spain airport strikes
Airports across Spain are set to be affected by strikes over labour rights by Azul Handling baggage staff. It’s part of the Ryanair Group and handles the bags for the majority of the operators flights, and the affected times are as follows: from 5am-9am, 12pm-3pm and 9pm-11.59pm on August 15, 16 and 17 and following Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays for the rest of 2025.
The affected airports, according to Which?, are: Alicante, Barcelona, Girona, Ibiza, Lanzarote, Madrid, Malaga, Palma de Mallorca, Santiago de Compostela, Seville, Tenerife South and Valencia.
What happens if your airline goes on strike?
If strikes cause your flight to be delayed or cancelled, the airline is usually obliged to help you and/or provide compensation. However, this often depends on the conditions of your airline – some airlines won’t cover strikes out of their control, such as airport or baggage handler strikes. Your compensation also depends on the extent of your travel insurance. These should both be easily accessed on either your airline or insurer’s website.
If you book your flight already knowing that a strike is set to take place (ie. it’s already been announced by the union), you are exceptionally unlikely to receive compensation. Before you book, be sure to check for any strike dates not just at your intended airline but also at departure and arrival airports.
Of course, it’s worth bearing in mind that the threat of a strike is exactly that: a threat. Strikes are primarily used as bargaining chips in negotiations between unions and employers, so there’s always the chance that both sides will come to an agreement before one actually takes place.
In any case, if your journey involves any of the above airlines, destinations and dates, be sure to keep an eye on your flight status and prepare for a more disrupted journey than expected.
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